Boston Bruins: 37 PTS, 4th in Eastern Conference,
2nd in Northeast
Nearly
every team in the NHL has reached the midpoint of the 2013 campaign. The Bruins
are 17-4-3 through 24 games. It is time to assess Boston’s performance thus
far. Here are my grades for each member of the black and gold.
Goalies
Tuukka Rask: 12-2-3/1.97GAA/.927SV%/2
SHO Grade:
A
Rask
is in his first year as a full time goaltender and has sparkled in manning the
Boston crease. When Tim Thomas announced he would be taking a season off,
Tuukka Rask immediately was propelled into the spotlight. The Finnish net
minder has always been viewed as Boston’s goalie of the future. This ringing
especially true following the spectacular run he took the Bruins on in 2010.
Rask
has looked calm, poised, and in control this season. In watching him on a nightly basis, one cannot help but
notice his maturity level and short memory. Serving as Tim Thomas’s understudy
for the past few years surely helped mold him into what he is today. He ranks
among the top goalies in every statistical category. Rask ranks second in wins,
fifth in shutouts, sixth in GAA, and sixth in save percentage. These are marks
that bode well for Boston moving forward.
Heading
into the 2013 campaign, the expectations for Rask were high, maybe unreasonably
high. Facing several question marks, Rask has gone above and beyond the call.
The Bruins have to be more than pleased with his efforts and his teammates seem
to be feeding off of his success.
Look for the Bruins to go on a deep playoff run if Tuukka
Rask can continue at the pace he has been on now for several weeks.
Anton Khudobin:
4-1/2.41GAA/.910SV% Grade:
B+
Khudobin
has had little experience playing at the NHL level. He made one appearance for
the Bruins a year ago and was victorious in a win at Ottawa. Prior to being
acquired by Boston, he spent two seasons in the Minnesota Wild system. Khudobin
saw minimal NHL game action while there, only playing in six games.
In
Providence, Khudobin posted respectable numbers. Boston was in need of a
serviceable back up once Tim Thomas walked and he has been just that. In the
games Khudobin has started the Bruins have not missed a beat and are nearly
unblemished. He is a tremendous compliment to Tuukka Rask. He will be
invaluable down the stretch as the season heats up. Khudobin has earned the
respect of the Bruins coaching staff, dressing room, and management.
If
Anton Khudobin continues to be consistent in his back up duties, look for Claude
Julien to utilize him more. A rested Tuukka Rask will go a long way.
Forwards
Milan Lucic:
4G/10A/14PTS/+7 Grade:
B
Lucic,
one of Boston’s biggest and most physical players, has had a respectable start.
Checking in at 6’3, 230lbs, the rugged winger has game changing ability based
on his size alone. Lucic, a tremendous checker, provides a dominant net front
presence, exhibits the ability to disrupt opposing teams in the neutral zone,
and is a whale of a fighter. He also has terrific passing ability for a bigger
man.
One
of the fan favorites, Milan Lucic plays with his heart on his sleeve and
epitomizes what it means to play in Boston. He brings unwavering grit and
toughness each and every shift. The Boston power play has struggled for long
stretches this season and it has been Lucic that has assisted in getting it
rolling. The chemistry he has had with line mates David Krejci and Nathan
Horton is a big reason for the success Boston has had.
Because
Lucic is such a precious piece to Boston’s top line and power play, look for
the points to come in a hurry. This especially true if he can continue to pass
the puck with playmakers mentality. The Bruins would become nearly unbeatable
if Milan Lucic could find the back of the goal on a more frequent basis. He is
scoreless in his last nine games.
David Krejci:
6G/13A/19PTS/+6 Grade:
A-
Krejci
has been one Boston’s most productive players thus far. He excels offensively
and feeds off of power forward wingers Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton. He is
steadily evolving into one of the games top passers. With the puck on his
stuck, Krejci is lethal if left unaccounted for. He has demonstrated wizardly
stick handling skills, elite vision, and deadeye shooting accuracy.
On
the defensive end, Krejci has shown the ability to be physical when need be.
His board play has improved and seems to be winning more puck battles. He has
shown confidence in playing alongside a pair of bruisers and Krejci is destined
for continued success moving forward.
Look
for David Krejci to continue putting up more assists than goals. His unselfish
personality only makes Boston a closer-knit bunch. Krejci’s talent ceiling
would be endless if he shot the puck more frequently. He has all the tools to
be a goal-scoring center. For right now, lets not mess with what works.
Nathan Horton:
7G/5A/12PTS/+5
Grade: B+
Putting
statistics aside, seeing Nathan Horton back, playing symptom free hockey is a
wonderful sight. He has steadily been showing signs of returning to his old
self and that makes Boston even more dangerous. His goal-scoring prowess has
been on display and it is a thing of beauty to see Horton light the lamp. His
willingness in going to the dirty areas has been the hallmark of his game and
gives the Boston front lines added versatility.
Horton
has been the victim of some thunderous hits along the boards this season and
showing the ability to bounce to his feet like he has is more than reassuring.
It’s heart warming. The Bruins have gotten nice production from him thus far
and as the year carries on Horton will become more at ease with his game.
Look
for Horton to be an integral part of the Boston offensive down the stretch as
he packs not only a heavy shot but an accurate one as well. Hopefully Horton
will pick up his hitting game a bit more as time passes.
Tyler Seguin:
8G/11A/19PTS/+16
Grade: A
Seguin’s
slow offensive start had many questioning if he was ever going to blossom into
the elite talent he was projected to be. One aspect of hockey that does not
show up on the stat sheet is defense. Defense is what Tyler Seguin has been
playing consistently all season.
When the scoring was not there, Tyler had to earn his ice time another
way and that was to bring it at the defensive end. That he did. Seguin has
morphed into a remarkable two-way player in Claude Julien’s system. His +16
rating ranks him amongst the NHL’s best. The +/- stat goes hand in hand with
defensive efficiency.
To
the demise of many doubters, Seguin has turned his offensive game around in a
profound way. The youngster has five goals in his last five games. He hunts the
puck like no other and his capability to accelerate with the biscuit is an
added bonus. He is maturing rapidly playing alongside Selke award winner
Patrice Bergeron.
Look
for Tyler Seguin recent offensive explosion to carry on into the second half
and playoffs. Now that his defensive game is coming around, the Bruins can only
hope his physical play does as well.
Patrice Bergeron:
6G/15A/21PTS/+17
Grade: A+
It
would be foolish to start without mentioning that Patrice Bergeron is probably
the most underrated player in the NHL. His unmatched ability to play in all
three zones, stand up leadership qualities, and veteran grit, sets Boston apart
from the rest. Bergeron scores the
puck, finds open teammates, and plays shutdown defense. Patrice also anchors
the NHL’s top ranked penalty killing unit.
What
else can you ask for in a player? Nothing really. Bergeron’s veteran savvy has
rubbed off on his line mates. He centers one of the top lines in the entire
league. “Bergy”, as his teammates like to call him, has proven to be as
reliable and dependable as they come. His elite faceoff talents rank him among
the best year in and year out. Whenever a big draw comes about, it is Bergeron
who is called upon.
Look
for Bergeron to compile a monster assist total because of the snipers who flank
him. Assuming he continues on at this pace, the Bruins will have no worries.
Brad Marchand: 12G/8A/20PTS/+15 Grade: A+
In
no way discrediting anything Patrice Bergeron has accomplished to date, it’s
very hard to overlook the start Brad Marchand has had. His twelve markers lead
the Bruins and rank him amongst the league leaders. It had always been clear
that Marchand could find the net. But twelve in twenty-two games is quite
impressive. Brad’s hot start has many wondering if he could be developing into
an elite goal scorer. He has definitely shown his goal scoring touch in
previous seasons. This start is unparalleled.
His
high-energy motor, relentless defensive efforts, and pestering play make him
one of the most vital pieces to the Bruins. Not only does he score the puck, he
also gets under the skin of opposing players. He does not back down from
confrontation and plays with the swagger of a champion. He, along with
Bergeron, excels at killing penalties. This only adds to the Bruins never
ending defensive forward depth.
Look
for Brad Marchand to score more and more frequently as the year progresses. He
goes to the high traffic areas and can shoot it from all spots with precision.
Chris Bourque: 1G/3A/4PTS/-6 Grade:
D
Bourque
may have been sent down, but he was the man at third line left wing for much
the year. In the eighteen games he played in, plenty can be taken from his
performance.
The
undersized winger showed flashes of promising offensive ability, though he was
inconsistent in doing so. Claud Julien was more than patient with Bourque,
playing him in various situations, including point man on the power play. His lack of production on what was an
already maligned third line only worsened his cause. The Bruins needed to make
a decision and replacing him with the more polished Jordan Caron made sense.
Look
for Chris Bourque to gain some valuable experience playing in Providence. Hopefully
he can refine his skills and round into the goal scorer he has ever hoped to
be. Don’t count a return to the Bruins lineup out of the question. If Chris
Kelly is unable to return, Bourque may be an option if an outside alternative
is not readily available.
Chris Kelly:
2G/4A/6PTS/-6 Grade:
C+
Chris
Kelly, along with his line mates, has been knocked for a lack of offensive out
put. In his case, basing a mid season grade on that notion alone is a bit
naive. There is no ignoring the fact that Boston would benefit greatly from an
offensive turnaround but his defensive play is what Kelly hangs his hat on.
The
center is one of the most responsible defensive players on the club. He very
rarely is caught out of position and can be counted on for making safe hockey
plays. He also logs solid minutes on the Boston penalty-killing unit, a unit
that is the NHL’s best.
Look
for Kelly to continue to showcase a strong defense first style of play. He has
had a history of scoring timely goals for Boston. Rekindling some prior magic
will only be advantageous to the Bruins.
Rich Peverley:
3G/5A/8PTS/-8 Grade:
C-
Rich
Peverley can be lumped into the Chris Kelly category, a more than viable
defensive option, yet an underachiever in the attacking zone. Peverley, like Kelly, sees respectable
time killing penalties. He sticks to the system and follows directions.
This
is a guy the Bruins depend on to provide secondary scoring. Eight points
through twenty-four games will not cut it. Peverley has struggled to find the
net, mainly due to his problems getting pucks on goal.
Look
for Peverley to see an increase in points now that a bigger, more powerful
Jordan Caron is skating beside him. He will stay within his coach’s good graces
as long as the defensive efforts continue to be strong. If Boston’s scoring
continues to scuffle, Peverley may be on the move.
Daniel Paille:
5G/4A/9PTS/+1 Grade:
B
Daniel
Paille has been a pleasant surprise in the goal-scoring department. He has
shown accuracy with his shots and the ability to pull clever moves from his bag
of tricks when need be. Playing on Boston’s fourth line, receiving desirable
minutes is sometimes unattainable. Paille certainly makes the most of his ice
time.
The
Bruins winger plays with noteworthy intensity. Paille shows no restraint in
going to the dirty areas, laying the lumber on crushing checks, and forcing
several turnovers with his hounding defense. He has carved out a role within
the Boston penalty killing rotation and excels in doing so. His hardworking nature
and never give up attitude ranks him amongst Claude Julien’s favorites. Paille
will drop the gloves without hesitation when it comes to aiding a teammate.
Despite receiving little attention, the grinder remains one of Boston’s most
valuable pieces.
Look
for Daniel Paille to evolve offensively down the stretch. He has been producing
at a high rate of late and it could translate into an increased sense of confidence.
Paille is slowly but surely is morphing into a true two-way forward, something
the Bruins have to be excited about.
Gregory Campbell: 2G/3A/5PTS/-3 Grade:
B
Campbell
is an under the radar NHL kind of guy. His work on the defensive end gets
overlooked because he is not a big numbers player. The fourth line pivot man
anchors the Bruins defense with the up most passion. He is fearless along the boards and regularly sacrifices his
body for the betterment of the team.
Like
Patrice Bergeron, Greg plays an integral role on the penalty kill, a recurring
trait amongst the Bruins bottom six. Campbell possesses all the tools needed to
succeed in the Bruins system, not to mention his admirable talents in the face
off dot. Opposing clubs are always well aware when he is on the ice because
Campbell never backs down from any confrontations. Like Paille, “Soupy” as they
call him, will throw punches on the drop of dime.
Look
for Gregory Campbell to continue in leading the Bruins penalty kill and to be
on the ice for key defensive moments. Campbell does carry an above average shot
for a grinder. Hopefully he feeds off of the recent success Paille has found.
Shawn Thornton:
2G/1A/3PTS/-2 Grade:
B+
Shawn
Thornton excels as the Bruins top enforcer. He provides invaluable energy each
time he steps on the ice. Thornton dishes out thunderous hits, fore checks like
a maniac, and fights like it’s no ones business.
The
simple thought of knowing Shawn Thornton is on your bench gives the Bruins the
extra security it needs to push the envelope a bit more than others would
normally be comfortable with.
Thornton never hesitates in letting the fists fly and sometimes seeks
out the fights. He is responsible defensively and any offensive he provides is
just an added bonus for Boston.
Look
for Shawn Thornton to continue on in his bad guy shoes, providing Boston with the
timely sparks it needs. He is one of the Bruins hardest working players and makes
each an every second of ice time count for something. Being well renowned as
the tough guy Thornton is, many teams think twice before messing with the black
and gold.
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara:
5G/6A/11PTS/+11 Grade:
A-
Zdeno
Chara, Boston’s captain, is arguably the most important player on the Bruins.
His towering stature and shut down defensive skills account for much of the
success the Bruins endure. He plays at a Norris Trophy like level on a nightly
basis. It’s a given that he will matchup with opposing team’s best players and
a rarity if ever beaten.
Chara’s experience, grit, and stoutness
carry the Bruins night in and night out. His leadership is ever apparent and
his teammates follow suit. Chara leads the Bruins with over twenty-four minutes
of average time on ice.
Look
for Chara to be the guy the Bruins continue to lean on. He has few holes if any
in his game. Zdeno would experience greater production if he simply shot the
puck more. Beggars can’t be choosers. Claude Julien and the Bruins will take
what he provides any day.
Johnny Boychuk:
1G/2A/3PTS/+2 Grade:
B
Boychuk,
playing alongside Chara, is matched up against the NHL’s best more often than
not. He has done fairly well to date, although has not played at the level the
Bruins have hoped he would. His defensive game is solid and possesses the
ability to lay game changing hits on whoever crosses his path. He skates well
for a defensemen and it seems Boychuk has more talent than what he lets on.
His
bomb of a shot is intimidating. When he winds up, other squads know it. Boychuk
drives the puck at the net from all angles and it comes in hard. Unfortunately
for Boston, Johnny only has three points on the season. For the Bruins to
become an improved offensive team, a lot will rest on his ability in finding an
offensive groove.
Look
for a hard push from Boychuk in the offensive zone. He is more than capable of producing
at a higher rate and Boston expects it. From time to time Johnny Boychuk can be
lulled to sleep in his own end, this likely stemming from relying to heavily on
his defensive partner. This needs to change, especially since Boston has
developed a particularly sickening late game trend.
Dennis Seidenberg:
0G/7A/7PTS/+6 Grade:
A
Dennis
is one of two Bruins yet to record a goal this season. That’s just fine; it’s
not what he is on the team for. Like Zdeno Chara, Seidenberg is another
priceless component to the Boston blue line. He ranks second to only Chara, averaging
a hair over twenty-three minutes of ice time. Seidenberg is as physical as they
come and rarely makes a poor decision.
The
German born player has harnessed his skills nicely and plays the position the
way it should be played. Seidenberg surrenders very little, takes the proper
angles in cutting off plays, and serves up punishing hits on a regular basis.
Dennis has blossomed since joining Boston a few years back and has gotten
progressively better each season. He is highly respected league wide. His play
has not slipped a bit. That being especially impressive in being paired with
rookie Dougie Hamilton. Seidenberg has proven to be a great teacher, guider,
and mentor for the young Hamilton.
Look
for Dennis Seidenberg to have a continued profound effect on Boston’s
accomplishments. He leads by example, demonstrating steadfast play in his own
end. Seidenberg’s unyielding ways will most likely see him paired with Zdeno
Chara come playoff time. A pairing that makes for one of the best and most
feared in the league.
Dougie Hamilton:
3G/9A/12PTS/-3 Grade:
B
While
Hamilton has provided a breath of fresh air from a defensive scoring
standpoint, he still has a lot to work on. The rookie has seen a great deal of
his minutes come by way of the Boston power play, as he is generally called
upon to quarterback the unit. The youngster has done an impressive job in his
first hoorah. His timely passes and big shot lead many to believe he is the
real deal.
Like
all rookies, growing pains will occur. Hamilton is experiencing the majority of
them on the back end of his game. He has shown vulnerability in defending
opposing teams. Sometimes being caught out of position and other times getting
stuck up ice. Regardless, Hamilton will learn as his experience mounts. For the
most part he has played above and beyond expectations.
Look
for Dougie Hamilton to make strides toward improving as the year rolls along.
Playing along side the veteran talent in which Hamilton does will surely lead
him down the right path. It is clear what is asked of him and adhering to that
will be the safest of bets.
Adam McQuaid:
1G/3A/4PTS/+3 Grade:
B-
Adam
McQuaid brings a tenacious style of play to the table. He is not the most
talented of guys, nor is he a guy to be overlooked. McQuaid serves as an
enforcer of sorts. McQuaid deters many adept offensive players through exerting
his sheer strength. He is a bigger man and is not afraid to through his weight
around.
McQuaid
has seen a drop off in physicality this season, most likely due to an offseason
blood clot he was forced to battle through. Although the decline is not what
many have made it out to be. He is more often hammering his opponents than not.
His nightly efforts lump him into the Boston fight club.
Look
for Adam McQuaid to continue his adequate play. McQuaid is still on the young
side, and like Hamilton will improve. He sometimes shows indecisiveness in his
decision-making and that’s something to be worked on. From a Bruins standpoint,
McQuaid is capable of a lot more that has remained unseen.
Andrew Ference:
0G/5A/5PTS/+4
Ference
has been a mainstay along the Boston blue line for years now. Each season he
brings the same determined effort and conducts himself in a positive manner. He
is a blue-collar warrior that simply lowers his head on goes to town. Andrew is
on the smaller side for an NHL defensemen, but in no way does that hinder his
game. Ference hits like a ton of bricks and is an exceptional board player.
His
technically sound play often goes unnoticed because of the bigger names that
surround him. Andrew is respected league wide for being tough as nails and
highly knowledgeable.
Look
for Andrew Ference to utilize years of experience, as it will be vital to a
Bruins team gearing up for a cup run. He has won two Stanley Cups and his triumphant
nature will only work in Boston’s favor.
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