The Kids Are Alright, As They Take The B’s To Victory

The Boston Bruins took on the Nashville Predators in their opening game last night. The team was without star center Patrice Bergeron, and also David Backes who was diagnosed with diverticulitis. Also defender Torey Krug with a broken jaw.

1st Period:

The B’s came out strong running two rookies in the top six.

The kids came out the strong as Anders Bjork came into the slot with Krejci to his right. Bjork had a clear lane to the net but the rookie nerves got to him and he passed it. It was not the worst decision but he needs to not be afraid to shoot it. That is the only problem I had with him all game

Boston was granted a powerplay early in the first and David Pastrnak capitalized on it with a beautiful onetimer set up from Charlie McAvoy and David Krejci.

It looked like the Boston would end the first 1-0, but Viktor Arvidsson had other plans. He scored the tying goal with just 10 seconds left in the period.

2nd Period:

Once again the team came out strong pushing the pace which we as Bruins fans have not seen in a long time. Just 5:48 into the second Jake Debrusk scored his first Career goal. What a beautiful goal it was too. This kid has an amazing shot. The goal wa assisted by Krejci and Bjork (this is Bjork’s first NHL point)

Pretty surreal to be honest. It was one that I’ll never forget, that’s for sure. A little bit of a blur at the moment. Was just trying to make a quick move, and it went in, and the crowd went pretty loud. So I’ll never forget that feeling

The cam continued at a one-goal game then at 15:43 McAvoy also got his First NHL goal. Assisted by Krejci and Debrusk. McAvoy is the epitome of an offensive defenseman. He was able to jump into the play and create an odd-man rush. This put the Bruins up 3-1 going into the third.

3rd Period:

The third was a slow start as there was some back and forth but that’s about it. The B’s then went onto the PK and Peter Laviolette decided to pull his goalie to make a 6 on 4. This plan backfired as Brad Marchand secured the loose puck and fired it down into the empty net. The game is now 4-1.

Then in typical fashion, the Bruins let the Pred’s come back in the golden last two minutes of a game. Somehow I missed this one due to the Pats game, but the B’s committed to penalties and it was now 6 on 3. Scott Hartnell scored on the 6 on three, then Filip Forsberg banked won off of Rask on the 6 on 4 to make it a one-goal game.

Luckily the B’s held the puck off and are able to walk away with a win.

Up Next:

Boston’s next game is not until; Monday when they take on the Colorado Avalanche.

The Boston Bruins made a flurry of roster moves on Monday ahead of the NHL season opening on Thursday. Boston assigned a number of players to AHL Providence and waived a few others off their roster as they close in on their final slots.

First things first, let’s talk about the players assigned to the Little Bruins. Tommy Cross, Jordan Scwarz, Jakub Zboril were all assigned to the AHL team late Monday morning. Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen, and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson were all assigned in the 4 O’clock hour.

No shockers on this list. Cross is a veteran player at this point and will serve that role helping curate the young defensemen in Providence like he has the last couple of seasons. Cross will be a candidate to be called up at some point this season if Boston needs defensive help.

The second group has the bigger names with Heinen and JFK both being players who were vying for a roster spot in the forward group. But the decision to keep both in the AHL to start the season makes complete sense given where the roster is at the moment for Boston. JFK is a player that should receive a real look as the season starts and progresses.

Assigning players to Providence wasn’t the only moves the Boston Bruins made on Monday. They released forward Teddy Purcell from his PTO, and then waived goaltender Malcolm Subban but have yet to issue a public statement about it. Bruins HC Bruce Cassidy confirmed the waiving of Subban on Monday but other than that no confirmation has been made.

With all of these moves here is what the current Boston Bruins roster looks like as of the publishing of this piece.

Forwards

• Noel Acciari
• David Backes
• Matt Beleskey
• Patrice Bergeron
• Anders Bjork
• Austin Czarnik
• Jake DeBrusk
• David Krejci
• Sean Kuraly
• Brad Marchand
• Riley Nash
• David Pastrnak
• Tim Schaller
• Ryan Spooner
• Frank Vatrano

Defensemen

• Brandon Carlo
• Zdeno Chara
• Matt Grzelcyk
• Torey Krug
• Charlie McAvoy
• Adam McQuaid
• Kevan Miller
• Rob O’Gara
• Paul Postma

Goaltenders

• Anton Khudobin
• Tuukka Rask
• Malcolm Subban*

*Subban is still listed on the current roster.

**Note that roster is in alphabetical order

Boston still has 9 defensemen and 15 forwards listed. Not including Subban the Bruins still have 26 players listed on their roster. The most a team can carry on opening day is 23. Looking at the roster, two more defensemen are likely to go. My guess is O’Gara and Grzelcyk will be in Providence.

One forward will also be cut. The current group has a number of candidates who could be sent out the door. Not an easy choice for Don Sweeney and company.

My money is a move of Ryan Spooner or a waive of Beleskey.

Boston Bruins Potential Lines For The 2018 Season

The Boston Bruins Still has some last minute roster changes to be made. Other than that we all have a good idea who is going to be on the team. Here is a look at the possible lines for the new season. Also some predictions for the Bruins overall season outcome.

Boston will be a very fun team to watch this season. It seems like they are going to let the youth roam free and take the reigns. With some vets thrown into the mix.

Vegas has the Bruins projected at 30-1 odds to win the cup. I do not expect the B’s to go out and win the cup with this team. They do need to be competitive though. I project them to squeeze into that 3rd division spot and make it to the playoffs. It will probably take somewhere around 96-98 points to grab that spot which I think is achievable. I say they need to get around 40 wins with maybe a couple of ties in there.

The biggest outcome of the season would be the breakout of at least one of the rookies. I am looking forward to this years team, they are going to be a very fun team to watch.

Forwards:

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Anders Bjork

Jake Debrusk-David Krejci-Krejci Pastrnak

Frank Vatrano-Ryan Spooner-David Backes

Austin Czarnik-Riley Nash-Tim Schaller

Bubble/first injury call-ups: JFK, Danton Heinen, Sean Kurarly

Defense:

Zdeno Chara- Brandon Carlo

Kevan Miller-Charlie McAvoy

Adam Mcquaid-Paul Postma/Torey Krug (when back from injury)

Bubble/first call-ups: Rob O’Gara, Matt Grzelcyk

Goalies:

Tuukka Rask

Anton Khudobin

Tanner Rebelo’s Projections

Forwards:

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron- Anders Bjork

Jake DeBrusk- David Krejci- David Pastrnak

Frank Vatrano-JFK-David Backes

Ryan Spooner-Riley Nash-Matthew Beleskey

Fringe: Tim Schaller, Austin Czarnik, Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari

Defense:

Chara-Carlo

Miller-McAvoy

McQuaid-Grezelcyk

Postma, O’Gara

*Krug to slot in with McQuaid after return

Goalies:

Rask

Khudobin