Boston Bruins on the Hunt for the Perfect Formula
The recent game between the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night felt unusual, lacking the memories of their 2019 Stanley Cup series. Significant changes in both teams made it seem normal to see Torey Krug playing for the Blues. The pain of Boston fans from 2019 seemed distant, with many changes to both squads. Despite the deep archival footage on NESN, it felt like a long time ago.
In the last three playoff years, excluding 2020, both the Bruins and the Blues won one series each, fired their 2018-19 coaches, and have their general managers still in charge. Interestingly, the GM who lost the 2019 Cup has fared better than the one who won it.
The Bruins’ transformation was inevitable, especially considering aging players like Zdeno Chara and the younger core maturing. However, the team faced challenges, including the COVID-impacted cancellation of the 2019-20 season. Despite consistently strong regular seasons, the Bruins have struggled in the playoffs, prompting discussions about the team’s style of play.
Looking ahead, suggestions include improving faceoff and puck-possession skills, possibly trading Jake DeBrusk, and acquiring a physical left-shot player for Charlie McAvoy. The article also explores potential trade targets and discusses the impact of players’ ice time on their performance.
In the midst of these considerations, there are congratulations for Jeremy Swayman and Jim Montgomery for making the NHL All-Star Weekend. The article concludes with a lighthearted comment about a controversial interference call in a recent game.
