Whether or not it’s in early October or late April – time beyond regulation video games are at all times thrilling and after 15 time beyond regulation/shootout losses final season, the Boston Bruins begin off the 2024-25 marketing campaign with an undefeated post-regulation file, because of David Pastrnak‘s third aim of the season – profitable the sport in time beyond regulation. Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman stopped 31 of the 32 pictures he confronted, Elias Lindholm buried the game-tying aim for his fifth level in three video games and Boston goes on their first multi-game profitable streak of the season.
Matthew Poitras Shines in Season Debut
Matthew Poitras‘ season debut was delayed a pair video games as a consequence of an undisclosed harm, however in Saturday’s (Oct. 12) win over the Los Angeles Kings, it regarded like he hadn’t missed a step. He led all Bruins gamers in anticipated targets for (xGF) at 5v5 with 0.81 anticipated targets, had the third-lowest anticipated targets in opposition to (xGA) at 0.10 and had the greatest pictures for proportion (SF%) on the complete roster in any respect strengths, out-shooting the Kings 10-5.
Within the time beyond regulation session that lasted solely 3:07, Poitras performed 1:28 (47%) unfold out over two shifts. Throughout that point, Poitras was all around the ice at each ends, attempting to make offensive performs after which hustling again on the backcheck. On Pastrnak’s time beyond regulation winner, Poitras acquired a fast go from Mason Lohrei who carried out a wonderful stick examine on a urgent Kings participant, stopped on the blue line – awaiting Pastrnak throughout the zone. Pastrnak fed it over to Lohrei who returned it again to Pastrnak for the open shot and the win. Poitras’ show of persistence on the very finish of his 48-second shift to keep away from the defender and make an clever go fairly than simply flinging the puck to alleviate stress was pivotal and allowed Boston to get the scoring probability.
It was clear Poitras was maybe the most effective skater for the Bruins on this sport, he excelled at bringing the puck into LA’s zone, one thing Boston as a group struggled to do successfully. He was nice at slowing the sport right down to his tempo, looking for teammates on cross-ice feeds and making a transparent affect each time he was on the ice. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery praised Poitras’ debut, saying post-game, “I believed that was the most effective sport he’s performed within the NHL.”
Associated: Bruins’ Third Line Lacking Matthew Poitras Impacts
Including in Poitras is large for this Bruins group going ahead, him staying wholesome offers further depth within the ahead core and don’t be shocked if within the close to future he will get some right-wing ice time with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle.
Greatest Defensive Sport So Far This Season
It doesn’t take a hockey skilled to know that permitting ten targets in opposition to in two video games is a poor recipe for any type of long-term success, so there was a need for a extra structurally sound defensive sport for Boston and so they confirmed simply that. Whereas Swayman did have to face robust on just a few probabilities, together with some powerplay probabilities, the protection did a much better job boxing out the Kings’ forwards which was a big concern within the earlier two video games.
Merely watching all three video games, it’s very clear to inform the Bruins took huge strides in limiting probabilities in opposition to at 5v5. The protection core appeared rather a lot calmer, made smarter choices, and gave Swayman the very best probability to win this sport for them. When the protection did make an error or miss their man, the forwards did an important job – highlighted by Elias Lindholm and Matthew Poitras – backchecking and choosing up the slack. The numbers help the defensive enchancment as properly, as this sport was Boston’s better of the season to date.
- Targets Towards 5v5 (1)
- Pictures Towards 5v5 (17)
- Shot Makes an attempt Towards 5v5 (38)
- Anticipated Targets Towards 5v5 (1.23)
- Scoring Probabilities Towards 5v5 (15)
- Excessive-Hazard Scoring Probabilities Towards 5v5 (8)
Moreover, the Bruins blocked 19 pictures on this sport – 4 greater than in opposition to the Canadiens and solely two fewer than the Panthers, though the Panthers had a staggering 54 shot makes an attempt in comparison with solely 38 within the sport in opposition to Los Angeles. Boston turned the puck over solely 9 occasions whereas they turned it over almost 20 occasions in every of the opposite two video games. It’s one sport – however a drastic enchancment.
Particular Groups Have been Good & Unhealthy
To proceed on the robust protection, Boston went an ideal 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, which is a superb statistic – nevertheless, too many penalties as soon as once more compelled them to need to play shorthanded greater than they need to. Because it stands, the Bruins have taken probably the most penalties to date with 19, 4 greater than the Buffalo Sabres. On the flip facet of that, the B’s have additionally drawn probably the most penalties in order that they’re having to play the sport with both their energy play or penalty kill items out.
Extra energy play alternatives look like a good suggestion however at occasions on this win over LA, the Bruins could have been higher off declining the penalty and persevering with to play 5v5. Boston went 0-for-5 on the person benefit and gave up three scoring probabilities in opposition to, whereas the Kings went 8-0 in scoring probabilities whereas on the facility play. Within the early elements of the competition, Boston appeared to wrestle coming into the zone and making a primary go which allowed the very aggressive Los Angeles PK unit to assault the forwards and create odd-man rushes the opposite approach. If it weren’t for some nice back-checking efforts from Elias Lindholm and saves from Swayman, there was a excessive chance of a Kings shorthanded aim.
So sure, going excellent whereas shorthanded is superb and continues to be a critical power for this group, however failing to transform with a 5-on-4 benefit will come again to hang-out them because the season goes on. The powerplay wants to determine its offense – whether or not that may be a personnel change or a system change – however proper now it isn’t working. Boston was in a position to win with out it at present, however in a 2-1 victory that wanted time beyond regulation, only one energy play aim may’ve settled this one in regulation.
Robust Sport for Depth
David Pastrnak received the game-winning aim and Poitras had the most effective 60-plus-minute sport, however another Bruins additionally had robust efforts that led to a Saturday victory.
Lohrei made an important go to Pastrnak in time beyond regulation to get a main help whereas additionally main Bruins defensemen in anticipated targets for proportion (75.24%). After struggling a bit within the first sport in opposition to Florida which led to him being a wholesome scratch in opposition to the Canadiens, Lohrei regarded significantly better all-around and far more just like the Lohrei we noticed final season.
#NHL GameScore Influence Card for Boston Bruins on 2024-10-12:#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/OMQL6XRXy5
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 12, 2024
John Beecher and Trent Frederic additionally had robust video games within the bottom-six. Frederic had an 8-3 scoring probability differential whereas on the ice at 5v5, was second on the group with 0.89 xGF and was second amongst Bruin forwards in shot makes an attempt with 5. Beecher had the second-lowest anticipated targets in opposition to on Boston (0.03), credited with three hits within the sport – tied for the second-most on the group – and performed over three minutes on the penalty kill, second behind solely Charlie Coyle for probably the most shorthanded minutes of all Bruins forwards. Andrew Peeke, Brad Marchand, and one other robust sport from Cole Koepke had been additionally main elements in Boston profitable this one.
Bruins Now Look For Revenge & Hold the Streak Going
Now using a two-game profitable streak, the Bruins will prepare for a 3rd consecutive sport at TD Backyard and a second matinee sport in a row as they’ve a rematch with the Panthers, the group who holds Boston’s lone lack of the younger 2024-25 season. The Bruins might be trying to proceed their strengths of depth offense and improved protection whereas additionally enjoying higher on the facility play to increase their profitable streak to a few video games and enhance to 3-1-0.
