Brooons Mid-Season NHL Update
Bruins legend Tuukka Rask will made his first start this season after being signed by the Bruins last week. Rask being back will hopefully shore up the back end with Ullmark to make a great 1-2 combo. Jeremy Swayman will go down to Providence to be the #1 guy there and get a little more seasoning after an okay stint with the Boston squad so far.
The Bruins have gotten through the season so far avoiding any major COVID issues and injuries. With Pastrnak making the long-awaited move to the second line with Taylor Hall a few weeks ago, there has been goals for days coming from the top two lines. Brad Marchand continues to dominate the league at 5’9 and his chirps are at an all time high as well. Patrice Bergeron the Magnificent is still glorious and perfect in every aspect of the game. 4th line alone with Nosek and Lazar have been fast and effective. Charlie Coyle is staying healthy for the most part and is still skating and moving at an unreal rate. This guys’ movement and motor are truly impressive. Oskar Steen has been a great boost for his size and skill.
Boston Bruins’ Line Pairings for Rask’s First Game @ Flyers
1F: Marchand – Bergeron – Smith
2F: Hall – Haula – Pastrnak
3F: Debrusk – Coyle – Steen
4F: Blidh – Nosek – Lazar
1D: Grzelcyk – McAvoy
2D: Reilly – Carlo
3D: Vaakanainen – Lewington
G: Rask
G: Ullmark
This is the squad that played against the Flyers Thursday Night. Conor Clifton and Derek Forbert are missing on the defensive 3rd pairing because of COVID protocols and Trent Frederic has been the main plug and play guy for Sweeney in this lineup. Clifton and Forbert have been great, as well as Frederic, and will continue to get quality playing time and develop. Once Debrusk is finally moved I think there will be a good spot for Frederic to fill, maybe not with the 3rd line just yet.
After realizing how effective Gryz and McAvoy can be, Sweeney has finally put them back together and it’s been a smooth ride since. Reilly is finding his stride and trying not to disappear like his track record can show. Carlo is every bit earning the praise and money the Boston fans and management have put into him. Every night he leaves it out there. Vaak has only played a couple games with the big club but, this season so far, he has developed well and been one of the bright spots for the minor club. When he plays with the Bruins you can see his confidence building and he doesn’t look nervous or too excited, which is great because Zboril will eventually be moved and that will free the 6-7th spot.
