Haggerty: Key gutsy stretch developing for the Bruins.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that this stretch of the regular season might serve as a watershed moment for the Boston Bruins.
Everyone knows the Boston Red Sox had a thoroughly terrible seven-game homestand in which they lost five of seven games and suffered four consecutive defeats before capping off two weeks at home with an amazing shootout victory over Dallas. They followed up their last home win with a thrilling 6-5 overtime triumph over the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night, where overcoming adversity was a calling card.
It wasn’t flawless, as they blew a two-goal lead in the third period after a good first 40 minutes, but it did indicate a tenacious, obstinate reluctance to give up even when the odds were stacked against them. All good postseason teams develop this during the regular season when their collective backs are against the wall.
Jim Montgomery expressed admiration for the team’s perseverance and determination. “We didn’t worry about what transpired, either positively or adversely, and I believe we continued to play. Obviously, they had a fantastic push from a quality squad in the third period, which snowballed, but we got right back to work after that.
“After they tied it 4-4, I thought we had control of the game and began to press back. We got the ‘Pasta’ goal, and they came back, which was fantastic for the fans.”
The Bruins have already won back-to-back games against quality Western Conference playoff teams, surpassed the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division standings despite Florida’s six-game winning streak, and have more than experienced the adversity that will harden them for the postseason.
“I can’t say it feels wonderful while you’re going through it. “But it is definitely important to go through these kinds of games,” said David Pastrnak on TNT’s postgame show after Wednesday’s triumph over Edmonton. “It’s not a good feeling in the locker room, but we take it as a challenge and incentive. We need to stick together because the only way we can get out of these situations is collectively. It’s healthy to face it, and perhaps it will prepare us down the stretch.”
As crucial as going through it all has been some of Boston’s top, high-paid players stepping up when it was most required.
Charlie McAvoy, the team’s top defenseman, has made significant contributions despite losses to teammates Hampus Lindholm and Matt Grzelcyk. McAvoy scored the game-winning goal in the shootout on Monday afternoon as the ninth shooter in Boston, following a pass to Pastrnak late in the third period.
McAvoy scored the game-winner in overtime on a beautiful toe drag move straight down the center after crossing over 30 minutes of ice time in a game in which Boston played with only five defenseman.
It wasn’t just McAvoy, of course, but it was crucial to see one of Boston’s leaders stand up and put the rest of the club on his back at crunch time, especially because Brad Marchand and Pastrnak had done so for so much of the season. McAvoy isn’t usually the man creating offensive moves, as he’s more of a reluctant shooter who values excellent two-way play, but there are instances when it’s simply necessary if the Bruins want to win hockey games.
Jeremy Swayman stated, “I believe that is our identity. “It wasn’t exactly as we planned it, but it was incredibly great to get those two points, and the way we did it despite adversity and their push, I believe that’s really something remarkable for our group moving ahead. Our group’s philosophy is to do whatever is necessary to win, whether it’s a 1-0 game or a 6-5 game.
“We know how valuable every point in this league is, especially at this stage in the year, and it’s really special to see our group come together and fight through no matter what comes our way.”
McAvoy’s performance will be crucial as Lindholm is out for weeks with a lower-body injury and Grzelcyk is hobbling due to a slash to the top of his left foot by Ryan McLeod. The Bruins will need Mason Lohrei’s performance on Wednesday night, as he recorded a career-high three assists, plus-2 rating, four shot attempts, and four blocked shots.
It was a significant improvement to see Lohrei play with poise and defensive intensity in a playoff-level game against some of the NHL’s greatest offensive players, as well as make a subtle, cunning drop pass to Pastrnak for a third-period goal that helped the Bruins advance to overtime. As attrition reduces Boston’s back-end depth, Ian Mitchell, who performed well in Providence, may be called up to the Bruins. This requires all healthy hands to step up.
Another theme from Wednesday’s triumph that must continue: Jake DeBrusk’s energetic, productive effort. Perhaps playing in front of friends and family in Edmonton provided him the extra push he needed after going scoreless since the NHL All-Star break, but DeBrusk produced his best game in weeks while also sharing a lovely moment with his father Louie during the game.
DeBrusk, by the way, scored a second-period goal on a gritty move rushing the net for a rebound and then feed McAvoy for the overtime game-winner, which saved him from the 30 pushups promised to his father on the “golden ticket” if he didn’t perform.
The Bruins’ aggressive play, particularly Parker Wotherspoon’s performance against Corey Perry in the second period, was encouraging. Perhaps it wasn’t the best timing, with the Bruins down to five D-men for the game, but it’s vital to see Wotherspoon translate some of that into a role that he’s currently filling for the Black and Gold.
Sure, there were some reasons to be alarmed. Edmonton launched 19 shots at the Boston Bruins in the third period, resulting in a blown lead, leaky rebounds, and goals conceded by Jeremy Swayman. The B’s were desperate for overtime.
But give credit where credit is due to a Boston Bruins hockey team that is persevering in the face of adversity and winning against great opponents who have definitely improved their game at this point in the season. The Bruins are doing the same today, following a rude awakening from a homestand flop that could turn out to be one of the most critical parts of the season when we look back at the Black and Gold’s entire season timeline.
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