Through 70 games this season, the Boston Bruins have been hockey’s best team. The season, however, has been put on hold due to the coronavirus with about a month left in the regular season.
While their success has been a team effort the Bruins have also been propelled by a few players who have had career years. Regardless of how the season plays out for David Pastrnak, Brandon Carlo, Sean Kuraly, and Matt Grzelcyk, it will be one that they won’t forget.
Over the years, David Pastrnak has become of the NHL’s best players. This year he reached new heights as through 70 games, he has 48 goals and 47 assists. The former first-round pick has also been nearly unstoppable on the powerplay with 38 points. Although the season is currently suspended he is tied for the league lead in goals and is third in points.
David Pastrnak wins it in OT. Wow. pic.twitter.com/TLPbmZlRGF
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) February 20, 2020
While Pastrnak’s season has been impressive, the Bruins have finally gotten a healthy season from Anders Bjork. Through 58 games this season, the Notre Dame product has a career-high nine goals and 10 assists. His two-way game has improved as Bjork has seen more time on the penalty kill. Although the young winger has struggled lately, he has been able to avoid injuries for the first time in his career.
Additionally, the Bruins have gotten an offensive boost from Sean Kuraly in the bottom six. In 69 games this year, Kuraly has six goals and a career-high 17 assists. He also recorded his first point on the powerplay. For the third consecutive year, he was able to set career highs in assists and points.
🚨GOAL!🚨
Sean Kuraly ties it up! #LetsGoPens 1#NHLBruins 1 pic.twitter.com/4I5OekAOuk
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) January 17, 2020
Although some Bruins forwards are having career years, they have gotten unsuspected offensive from Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk. Coming into the season, Carlo was not seen as an offensive weapon since he only scored more than two goals once in his career. This season, however, Carlo has changed the narrative by setting career highs in assists with 15 and points with 19. As a result, Carlo has become of the Bruins’ most valuable pieces because of how he affects the game at both ends of the ice.
Furthermore, Grzleyck has continued to improve as he has set career highs in every offensive category. In 68 games, the Boston University product has four goals and 17 assists. The former third-round pick also has seven points on the powerplay and one game-winning goal. Despite an uncertain future, Grzelcyk has continued to improve in his fourth season.
MATT GRZELCYK TIES IT WITH 36.5 SECONDS LEFT pic.twitter.com/5vW5GCpbF7
— Bruins (Guy Boston Sports) (@Bruins_GBos) March 8, 2019
While the future of the season is in doubt, the Bruins have had an impressive start after a heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup Finals. It has already been full of memorable moments, partially due to these few who have had their career years cut short.
