The Boston Bruins Storm into the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Boston Bruins are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL). They are currently in the thick of the 2021-2022 NHL season and have been putting on a strong performance so far.
As of March 8, 2023, the Bruins have played 64 games and have a record of 37 wins, 18 losses, and nine overtime losses, giving them a total of 83 points in the Eastern Conference standings. This puts them in third place in the Atlantic Division, behind the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Bruins have been led by a strong core of veteran players, including forwards Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak, as well as defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Marchand has been particularly impressive this season, leading the team in both goals (31) and points (71) through 62 games. Bergeron, meanwhile, has continued to provide a steady presence on both ends of the ice, with 22 goals and 31 assists in 59 games.
Pastrnak has also been a key contributor, with 26 goals and 39 assists in 59 games. Despite missing the start of the season due to injury, he has quickly found his scoring touch and has been a force on the power play, where he has 13 goals and 16 assists.
On the defensive side of the puck, McAvoy has emerged as one of the league’s top young blueliners, with seven goals and 37 assists in 63 games. He has also been a workhorse, logging an average of 24:49 of ice time per game, which ranks among the highest in the league.
In net, the Bruins have relied on a tandem of veteran goalie Tuukka Rask and up-and-comer Jeremy Swayman. Rask has been solid when healthy, with a record of 15-6-3 and a save percentage of .915 in 25 games. Swayman, meanwhile, has been a pleasant surprise in his rookie season, with a record of 22-12-6 and a save percentage of .917 in 40 games.
Despite their strong individual performances, the Bruins have faced their fair share of challenges this season. They have been hit hard by injuries, with several key players missing significant time, including defenseman Brandon Carlo and forward Craig Smith. They have also had to deal with a number of COVID-related absences, which have forced them to play short-handed on several occasions.
One area where the Bruins have struggled at times this season is on the penalty kill. They currently rank twenty-third in the league in penalty kill percentage, with a success rate of just 77.3 percent. This is an area they will need to improve in if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Despite these challenges, the Bruins have been a resilient and determined team all season long. They have battled back from deficits on numerous occasions, with a never-say-die attitude that has endeared them to their fans.
Looking ahead, the Bruins will need to continue playing at a high level if they hope to make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup. They will face some tough competition down the stretch, with games against divisional rivals like the Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers.
If they can stay healthy and get solid contributions from their top players, there is no reason to believe that the Bruins can’t make a deep playoff run this season. They have the talent, experience, and work ethic to compete with any team in the league, and their fans will be eagerly watching to see how they fare in the coming weeks and months.