Craig Smith (#12) of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal with teammates Charlie Coyle (#13) and Trent Frederic (#11) during their Saturday victory against the Flyers. AP image by Michael Dwyer

Analysis

In their home opener on Thursday night, the Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers with honor. Playing their fourth game in six days, the Broad St. Bullies were completely outclassed by Bruce Cassidy’s team on Saturday.

A fresh appearance The Bruins’ first spark came from their third line, which consisted of Charlie Coyle, Craig Smith, and Trent Frederic. With Frederic scoring his first professional assist and Smith and Coyle each recording a goal and an assist, all three forwards found the scorebook. Their influence extended beyond the recorded stats, benefiting their team in additional ways.

Brad Marchand’s second goal of the last stanza and Patrice Bergeron’s pair led Boston’s power play, which went 3-for-4 to add to the assault.

After Boston defeated Philadelphia 6-1, Cassidy remarked, “I thought we pushed them hard tonight. Philly is a big team.” We wanted to make sure we made it difficult because they were playing their fourth game in six days on the road when they came in, and we’ll attempt to do it every night.

What can be inferred from Boston’s 2021 first-ever regulation victory?

Trent Frederic is demonstrating his value.
Whenever he was called up by Providence, Boston’s second-round pick in 2016 never hesitated to get in touch. He did drop the gloves the first time, after all.

Fredric never stayed in Boston long enough to have a more significant influence. In spite of this, the former Wisconsin Badger continued to put in a lot of work in Providence, giving the Baby B’s strength and a respectable scoring touch.

Due to David Pastrnak’s injury, Frederic was forced to compete fiercely in training camp for a position on the roster in the bottom six. In the first series versus the Devils, Frederic proved himself, especially in those two games when he got under P.K. Subban’s skin. Since then, he hasn’t turned back.

Regarding Frederic’s abrasiveness, Coyle remarked, “It’s a pretty good skill to have, especially for a younger guy, and he’s done it pretty well.” “You could see he was ready when he arrived at camp this year. He’s clearly working hard throughout the off-season, and he deserves it. Over the course of the weeks, he has improved significantly and is having an impact.

Frederic, who was promoted to the third line, resumed his penalty-drawing ways on Saturday, which helped Boston score two of its three power-play goals. Flyers defenseman Mark Friedman was firsthand witnesses to Frederic’s tough approach, beginning with a hooking call in the first period.

Fredric scored against Friedman once more with a three-goal lead, earning a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Regarding his ability to draw penalties, Fredric stated, “Anytime we can help [the power play] get out there, it helps our chances of winning.”

Frederic undoubtedly merited his position with a formidable camp. He made a strong argument to remain with the big club in 14:31 of ice time on Saturday, recording three shots on goal, two hits, and an excellent dish to Coyle for his first career assist.

The power play clicked on all cylinders.

When he left for St. Louis during the off-season, Torey Krug left a huge void on the team’s best power-play unit. During Krug’s absence, Matt Grzelcyk filled in for him on the first unit, starting the first four games after being promoted from the second man-advantage squad.

Due to some hard collisions earlier in the week on Causeway St. back home and in Long Island, Grzlecyk was unable to participate in the game on Saturday. In front of a group that included Nick Ritchie, David Krejci at the half-wall, Marchand at the bumper, Bergeron in the slot, and Charlie McAvoy and Jakub Zboril as their shot point men.

Boston’s formidable man-advantage team performed flawlessly. They made all save one of their opportunities to convert. They lighted the lamp twice in less than 20 seconds of power play, both times using Bergeron’s stick.

According to Frederic, “the power play was really snapping it around.” “Watching the guys when they went outside was entertaining.

In the final eighty-five minutes of play, the Bruins scored six goals at even strength, providing much-needed 5v5 scoring. Whether they score at even strength or on special teams, they will only become better with that constant scoring.

Craig Smith and Jakub Zboril add to a night of firsts

The Bruins, with a roster that was changing, searched both inside and outside for assistance to cover gaps. The Bruins acquired Smith from Nashville in a single move to aid in even-strength and secondary scoring scenarios. In a different one, they asked Zboril to contribute some offensive play along the blue line in the hopes that he would eventually make a breakthrough in the NHL.

Neither Smith nor Zboril have let us down thus far. During Saturday’s rout, the inexperienced defenseman and seasoned forward each added firsts of their own.

With a transitioning roster, the Bruins looked for internal and external help to fill vacancies. In one move, the Bruins brought in Smith from Nashville to help with even-strength and secondary scoring situations. In another, they called on Zboril to provide some offense on the blue-line, hoping that he’d finally breakthrough at the NHL level.

Smith, nor Zboril, have disappointed so far. The veteran forward and rookie defenseman added firsts of their own during Saturday’s blowout.

Neither Smith nor Zboril have let us down thus far. During Saturday’s rout, the inexperienced defenseman and seasoned forward each added firsts of their own.

First was Smith, who scored his first goal for his new team and put the Bruins ahead for good. Just 1:16 after Kevin Hayes scored Philly’s only goal, the five-time 20-goal scorer gave the Bruins a decisive lead in the second period by putting a rebound past Carter Hart.

In the third, Zboril contributed a secondary assist to Marchand’s power play goal, which was his first NHL point, further compounding the damage.

Cassidy was drawn to Smith because of their developing rapport with Coyle. Cassidy was also impressed by Zboril, a 2015 first-round pick who has played in just seven NHL games, particularly because of his strong puck pursuit and astute transitioning technique.

Regarding Zboril, Cassidy remarked, “He’s displaying lots of courage and lots of poise all wrapped into one.” “We were aware of his talent for plays. He now has the confidence to compete against men and is going into such [puck] contests victorious.

The Bruins will take advantage of any scoring output they can muster, whether it comes from the top line’s domination (with or without Pastrnak) or the middle of the lineup filling in for him. In their second of eight games against the Flyers on Saturday, Cassidy’s four lines and three defense pairings controlled the tempo of play.

Three Things To Remember From The Senators’ 3-2 Overtime Loss to Boston Last Night

Though the Senators’ power play was hit or miss on Thursday night, their overall hockey play is still far superior.

In a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre, the Senators stretched their point streak to five games.

These are the three lessons I learned from the game.

1. They persevered in facing the league’s top team.

This season, the Senators have only triumphed 11 times over clubs that are above.500. The Senators were able to outscore the Bruins, who are tied for the best club in the NHL, 37 to 23.

Meanwhile, the Senators only gave up four high-danger chances and were the better team 5 on 5. The Sens showed they could compete against one of the best teams in the league, and it hasn’t been like that very often this season.

Good, awful, and ugly special teams

The Senators began the game with four powerplays in which they were careless, erratic, and unable to make a decision. However, the game was tied and the Senators gained a point when Thomas Chabot and Vladimir Tarasenko scored on the game’s final two powerplays. The special teams had a terrible first half and a fantastic second half to close off the game. That will come later, since Ottawa’s special teams have been badly neglected under interim head coach Jacques Martin.

Resilience and comebacks

Following the game, the Senators used the word “resilience.” They have overcame two-goal deficits to win against Philadelphia and Boston (OTL) and rallied against Winnipeg (OTL) in their last four games.

The Senators were able to bend but not break, something they had not been able to accomplish until their last four games. The Senators had only recovered for a point in the third period in one game this season prior to today. They played Minnesota in Sweden, tying the score and winning in a shootout.

Prediction, Preview, and Odds for Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 12:35 p.m. ET/PT: #427 Boston Bruins vs. #428 Philadelphia Flyers

This Saturday’s NHL face-off between the Boston Bruins, who are leading the Atlantic Division, and the Philadelphia Flyers, who are a fierce competitor in the Metropolitan Division, promises to be exciting. The Bruins, who have a terrific 30-9-9 record, will take on the Flyers, who have a solid 25-18-6 record, at 12:30 PM ET on January 27 at the Wells Fargo Center. In an effort to establish their dominance in the league, both clubs are engaging in a war of raw might and strategic skill.

 

 

 

Marching with Might and Precision are the Boston Bruins.

With a dominant 30-9-9 record and a dominant position at the top of the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins have been outstanding this season. Their recent outings, especially the suspenseful 3-2 overtime away win over Ottawa, highlight their tenacity and capacity to seize wins in the final moments of a game. They have been routinely outscoring their opponents with an attacking assault that averages 3.44 goals per game. David Pastrnak is the leader of this scoring spree; his 69 points demonstrate his offensive brilliance. Together with players like Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk, Pastrnak forms a potent combination that terrorizes opponents throughout the league.

The Bruins have been equally impressive defensively, giving up only 2.60 goals per game, which ranks them among the league’s top defenses. With a remarkable 2.30 goals against average (GAA) and a.924 save percentage, goalie Jeremy Swayman has been nothing short of remarkable. His contributions have been crucial to Boston’s continued domination, especially in recent games like the 4-1 home triumph over Winnipeg. The success of the Bruins has also been greatly attributed to their special teams. Their power play efficacy is 26.5%, and their penalty kill rate is 82.5%. These numbers demonstrate their ability to both take advantage of and stifle man-advantage situations. But their depth on defense is challenged by left winger Milan Lucic’s prolonged absence due to an ankle ailment.

Philadelphia Flyers: Tough Playing in a Tough Situation
With a strong 25-18-6 record and a third-place standing in the Metropolitan Division, the Philadelphia Flyers have been an inspiration to perseverance and hard work. Despite a 3-0 away loss to Detroit, their recent form has been characterized by gritted teeth and a never-say-die mentality. This tenacity will be essential when they take on the dangerous Bruins. Though it may not be as explosive as Boston’s, the Flyers’ attack is led by Travis Konecny, who leads the team with 42 points per game, and averages 2.88 goals per game. With the offensive prowess of Konecny and the help of guys like Joel Farabee and Sean Couturier, Philadelphia has the firepower to take on any opposition.

The Flyers have played strong defense, giving up 2.86 goals per game. With a 2.46 GAA, goalie Samuel Ersson has performed brilliantly, particularly in the absence of Carter Hart, who is sidelined indefinitely for personal reasons. One of Philadelphia’s most notable attributes has been their 85.6% effective penalty kill. This defensive rigor will be essential in stopping Boston’s formidable power play. The Flyers have demonstrated their ability to compete on special teams, which is essential for maintaining close and competitive games. But their depth has been put to the test by injuries to important players like Ryan Ellis (back) and Owen Tippett (lower body), which makes this game against the Bruins even more difficult.

Complete-Game Side Bet Rating: Clearly support the Boston Bruins in this game; their previous performance and record make them the favorites. With an average of 3.44 goals per game, Boston’s offensive stands out for its effectiveness and well-thought-out execution. Leading the team with 69 points, David Pastrnak is the epitome of this deadly blend of talent and cunning on the rink. Furthermore, Jeremy Swayman’s outstanding goaltending, which boasts a.924 save % and a 2.30 GAA, is the cornerstone of the Bruins’ defensive excellence, as they allow just 2.60 goals per game. Their ability to balance a strong offensive and defensive line, as well as their skill on special teams (with a 26.5% success rate on the power play and an 82.5% success rate overall),

The Bruins’ penalty kill rate puts them in a position to dominate rather than just win. They have shown a depth and resiliency that only strengthens their chances of winning, despite injuries like Milan Lucic’s ankle problem that haven’t stopped them.

Boston Bruins will win by -155.

Complete-Game Pick Rating:
Projecting a ‘Over’ for this game, the Boston Bruins’ offensive prowess and the Flyers’ perseverance will hopefully lead to a high-scoring contest. With an average of 3.44 goals per game, Boston has shown time and again that they can break through defenses, largely because of David Pastrnak’s incredible shooting skill and their offensive line’s clever playmaking. The Flyers’ 2.88 goals per game average may not seem like much in contrast, but their recent performances have demonstrated that they can compete with the best of them. Furthermore, Boston’s power play, which outperformed Philadelphia’s robust penalty-kill percentage of 85.6%, at a high efficiency of 26.5%,

There will inevitably be chances for both teams to score. Due to this dynamic, there is a chance that both teams’ offensive output will surpass the predetermined mark.

Forecast: MORE THAN 5.5

Bruins and David Pastrnak defeat the struggling Flyers.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — David Pastrnak had two goals and an assist, James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist and the Boston Bruins routed the Philadelphia Flyers 6-2 on Saturday in the final game for both teams before the NHL All-Star break.

Charlie McAvoy, Danton Heinen and Charlie Coyle also scored for Boston, which has won seven of eight. The Atlantic Division-leading Bruins entered play tied with Vancouver for the most points in the NHL. They now have 71. Linus Ullmark made 35 saves, and Pavel Zacha added two assists for Boston.

“Amazing,” Pastrnak said of the finish to the first half of the season. “We were talking about it a lot to make sure we finished strong before the break.”

One day after agreeing to an eight-year, $49.6 million contract extension, Owen Tippett (lower body) missed his fourth consecutive game. Carter Hart, the Flyers’ goalkeeper, was also absent since he took an indefinite leave of absence from the team on Tuesday. After giving up four goals on 14 shots in the opening round, Sam Ersson was removed from the game on Saturday. He was replaced by Cal Petersen, who made 12 saves to begin the second period.

John Tortorella, the coach of the Flyers, remarked, “You have some good weeks and you have some struggles.” We’re currently facing some difficulties. All we need to do is put our heads down and try to figure out how to improve and address certain issues.

Pastrnak continues to dominate the Flyers and will be playing in his fourth All-Star Game. During a seven-game point streak against Philadelphia, he has 11 goals and 6 assists. In 29 career games against the Flyers, he has 42 points. Pastrnak enjoys visiting Philadelphia, the site of the 2014 NHL Draft, where he was taken by the Bruins with the 25th overall pick.

It’s always enjoyable for him to return to this building because this is where his dream began, he remarked. “Obviously, coming here has a positive mental impact.”

Before Pastrnak’s wrist shot goal with 5:51 remaining in the first period broke the scoreless tie, four goals in a span of 4:14 were scored. 1:37 later, McAvoy scored his sixth goal from the side of the crease on a Zacha cross-ice setup.

Heinen’s goal, which came off a long-range deflection of Brandon Carlo’s attempt, made it 3-0. After a video review revealed that Heinen did not play the puck with a high stick, officials verified the goal. With 1:37 remaining, Pastrnak scored his second goal of the game and the team’s 33rd goal overall to put the score at 4-0.

“I think it affected us, because they scored the first one after we had three or four really good chances,” Tortorella remarked.

After the break, the Bruins picked up where they left off in the first period when van Riemsdyk scored 1:15 into the second on Pastrnak’s feed from behind the net to give them a five-goal lead. Pastrank now has a team-high 72 points after the assist.

“You mean he’s a game-breaker?” remarked Jim Montgomery, coach of the Bruins. “And he provides us with an edge so that we can win close games.”

With 4:37 remaining in the half, Foerster scored Philadelphia’s first goal of the match when his wrist shot from close range passed through Ullmark’s gloves. With 8:32 remaining, he scored his second goal.

Bruins goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman, who is making his first appearance at the All-Star Game in Toronto, will be joining Pastrnak. Swayman went 16-3-7 with a 2.30 goals-against average and.924 save percentage in 27 games. In his second appearance, Travis Konecny, who leads Philadelphia in goals (22) and points (42), will play for the Flyers.

Mark Recchi was inducted into the Flyers’ Hall of Fame prior to the game. Recchi spent 10 of his 22 seasons as a player for the Flyers, amassing 1,533 points in 1,652 games overall. Philadelphia’s single-season scoring record, which he set in 1992–93 with 123 points, is currently held by Recchi.

Marchand Continues Campaign Completed with Milestones Boston winger climbs to fifth place on the team’s all-time scoring list.

OTTAWA: It has been more than ten years since Brad Marchand moved to Boston.

When he did, he paid attention to the Bruins icons who contributed to the development of a winning, respectful, passionate, and winning culture.

Marchand had many Black & Gold icons to look up to, including Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, as well as Milt Schmidt, Johnny Bucyk, Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, and Cam Neely, the winger.

However, he never once imagined that he would be with them.

You know all those guys, of course, and you’ve seen what they’ve done and left behind, but you never anticipate that you’ll be in those talks or on those floors when you walk into an organization like this.

But Marchand has been heavily involved in those discussions—more and more, it seems, every week that goes by.

The 35-year-old scored the game-winning overtime goal in Boston’s 3-2 victory over the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night, moving him up to fifth place on the Bruins’ all-time goals list with his 396th goal of the career.

Marchand remarked, “I try not to think about it too much, but it is special.” “I never imagined that my profession would go to this point and that certain events would have occurred. I consider myself incredibly privileged to be a member of a group that has seen unprecedented success and prosperity.

This culture is something you want to come in and be a part of, and it starts with the people that came before you.

Prior to this season, Marchand was appointed the club’s 27th captain. This season, he has accomplished a number of other notable feats. Earlier this month, the product of Nova Scotia rose to the fifth spot on the B’s all-time scoring list. Shortly after, he became the fifth player in club history to reach 900 career points. In November, Marchand also made club history as the ninth player with 500 assists.

Marchand, who is currently just seven goals away from overtaking Rick Middleton for fourth place on Boston’s all-time list and four assists away from seventh place on the team’s all-time list, remarked, “It is special to see.” “But once more, it’s simply that you kind of just happen to be a part of amazing teams and an organization for this long when you’re fortunate enough to.

Throughout his 15-year tenure with the organization, the Boston captain has given respect to those who came before him for establishing a standard that has enabled the Bruins to enjoy such success.

Marchand stated, “One of the things you learn very early here is you come in and you buy in and you do the right things, be a part of a winning team, a winning culture. You learn to buy in and it allows everyone to have success.” “Visiting the rink every day is enjoyable. You’ve been really successful all the way through the lineup.

Boston’s success, according to coach Jim Montgomery, starts with number 63.

Regarding Boston’s response in their overtime victory in Ottawa, Montgomery remarked, “It’s the character and the culture of we complete hard, we have great second and third effort.” “Our captain embodies the definition of diligence.”

Marchand continued by saying he is honored to have cultivated friendships with the famous players he has joined in the Bruins’ all-time roster.

Marchand stated, “I grew up idolizing them and I still do. As I’ve gotten to know them, I’ve grown to love the way they carry themselves, the legacy they’ve left, and how important it is for them to stay in the organization and continue to give back and teach the young guys.” “Even the few exchanges I’ve had with a few of those guys reveal a great deal about.

Their competitive advantage is evident. It’s amazing to be able to sit down and talk to these men while also seeing their names on the list because they talk about their experiences and the way they performed.

But ultimately, individual statistics are not the most important thing to Marchand; his focus is on his ultimate objective.

Marchand remarked, “I’m really proud of [the goal milestone], but I just don’t get caught up in it because I feel like I have a lot of time left.” “The objective every year is not to win; rather, it’s to see what has been accomplished when I hang them up and retire at the end of the day.”

The Bruins must use Chychrun to make their shot.

He was a target for the Boston Bruins last season, and they may try again in the 2024 postseason.

Although Jakob Chychrun is pricey, the Boston Bruins’ front-line defense would benefit greatly from having him.

With no first-, second-, or third-round picks in 2024 and as the best club in the Eastern Conference, they might seek to seize a favorable trade chance.

The Bruins’ defense has been difficult to penetrate lately; in the last ten games, they have given up only 2.4 goals on average.

When combined with front-line defenseman Charlie McAvoy, his outstanding defensive ability might be very beneficial to the Bruins.

The issue is that he is pricey.

Rumors circulated before to the trade deadline of the previous season, suggesting that standout defenseman Chychrun would be dealt to the Bruins—albeit at a steep cost. He has a massive $4.6 million cap hit for this season.

Instead, he received a first-round pick and two second-round picks from Ottawa. This season, he has averaged over 20 minutes on the ice each game and, with seven goals and 20 assists, has once again shown that he is a capable two-way defenseman.

At $862,500, the Bruins have limited deadline cap room; nonetheless, it would be helpful to clear some cap space by dealing players who are quite expensive.

With the Bruins, Matt Grzelcyk is in the final year of a lucrative $3.687 million contract. A decent trade for this failing first-line defenseman, who has only managed two goals and five assists this season, could improve their financial position.

Boston Bruins: What injuries do we have right now?

Regarding injuries, the previous season was something of a nightmare for the Boston Bruins. Actually, none of the 82 players completed the entire set. It hasn’t been any better for them so far this year.

You have to wonder what the Boston Bruins do that leads to so many player injuries, as Torey Krug is just one of the most recent players to be added to the injured reserve list.

 

Is it the aging of the core group members? Is it that we play a slightly heavier style than the majority of our opponents in the Atlantic Division? Is it a case of bad scouting and drafting; collecting, for want of a better word, a little flimsy players? Or is it just bad luck combined with a plan?

Whatever it is, Bruce Cassidy, the head coach of the Boston Bruins, has had to adjust a lot both this year and last year. He iced a lineup on Saturday against the Washington Capitals that included no fewer than four players who were Providence Bruins rookies.

Is it the aging of the core group members? Is it that we play a slightly heavier style than the majority of our opponents in the Atlantic Division? Is it a case of bad scouting and drafting; collecting, for want of a better word, a little flimsy players? Or is it just bad luck combined with a plan?

Whatever it is, Bruce Cassidy, the head coach of the Boston Bruins, has had to adjust a lot both this year and last year. He iced a lineup on Saturday against the Washington Capitals that included no fewer than four players who were Providence Bruins rookies.

Although guys like Paul Carey, Anders Bjork, Urho Vaakanianen, Trent Frederic, and others are more than capable of playing hockey, it’s still a bit of a leap to.

We’re talking about the absence of injured players from the starting lineup on Saturday, including Patrice Bergeron, Jake Debrusk, and Torey Krug.

We will examine both the players who have already returned to the ice and those who we should expect to return sooner rather than later while evaluating the injuries currently plaguing the Boston Bruins.

When the returnees gradually make their way back into society, hopefully they leave a mark.

In any case, let us begin with the most chronic injuries: