The Boston Bruins have made a quick turnaround after their Game 7 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs and just 48 hours later, the second round started. The Bruins won Game 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They played a very good game, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t perfect.
The Bruins are definitely trying to find their stride offensively, it has been an issue for them during all of the first-round series versus Toronto. Top guys´ production hasn’t been as sharp as we would expect. Patrice Bergeron had just one even-strength assist over the first round. Brad Marchand has been the Bruins most productive guy with nine points. David Krejci had five points overall, just two at even strength. David Pastrnak had six points, but his overall play wasn’t good.
In the first game of the round number two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bergeron played his best game so far. His skating was there and mainly in the first period, Bergeron was creating one chance after another. The main reason for Bergeron to end up with just even-strength point in the first round was John Tavares. Tavares had done the tremendous job defensively, as he was kept to just three even-strength points himself.
However Columbus series is going to be a different kind of story. John Tavares isn’t there anymore and all of sudden Bergeron had a lot more time to create offense, although he didn’t record a point in Game 1. When the game was coming to its end, David Pastrnak came back to the top unit. That’s something that has to continue.
Karson Kuhlman was a healthy scratch for Game 1, but that was a mistake. Kuhlman hasn’t done anything bad to get scratched and so he should come back. But this time to play on the second line alongside Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. That line had played some nice hockey together in the first three games against the Leafs. They have not been together ever since.
The third line with Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson found its mojo, literally. Chris Wagner inserted to that line had a little offensive impact on their plays, in overtime, it was Danton Heinen setting up that winning play. Heinen has played a very solid two-way game for the Bruins as of late. He has been swirling between all three top lines, which is not ideal. Inserting Heinen to that third line can produce some much-needed chemistry and Coyle has been possibly the Bruins best forward in the playoffs, behind Brad Marchand. The fourth line works perfectly, no need to change it up.
Suggested Bruins offensive lines for Game 2:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Kuhlman
Johansson – Coyle – Heinen
Nordstrom – Kuraly – Acciari
Now there is one thing, David Krejci might be hurt. He left overtime after the hit from Riley Nash, the former Bruins forward. If Krejci is unable to play in Game 2, which is unclear for now, then the offensive lines should look like this:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Coyle – Johansson
Heinen – Kuraly – Kuhlman
Nordstrom – Acciari – Wagner/Backes
In this scenario, the top line wouldn’t be changed at all. It would be logical for the Bruins to pick Charlie Coyle to the second line’s center position, but he would bring Johansson with him as well. Third line’s center should be Sean Kuraly in this case, playing with offensive-minded wingers like Heinen and Kuhlman. On the fourth line, Noel Acciari would move up to center and Wagner or David Backes would come in on the left wing.
Let’s just hope Krejci is alright and he will be ready for Game 2, as he was playing very reliably for the Bruins throughout the playoffs and he has built nice chemistry with Jake DeBrusk over the course of the past few seasons.
Nevertheless, the Bruins need more of their offensive production. A total of 71 shot attempts in the regulation time resulting in just two goals alongside four Power Play opportunities wasted, which definitely wasn’t ideal. With a 1-0 series lead, there is still plenty of time to find the right combination.
