By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor
Boston, Mass. – Bruins fans bleed black and gold and pride themselves on the ol’ saying “Don’t poke the bear”. This usually refers to the team’s defense which has been its staple, especially since clinching their last Stanley Cup Championship in 2011 against the Canucks.
But halfway through this season, the team’s defense is just not getting it done consistently. They’ve had some inconsistency on the back end due to trouble finding solid defensive pairs. Long time players like Zdeno Chara, Adam McQuaid, and Dennis Seidenberg have been defensive staples since their 2011 Stanley Cup win and with last year’s up-and-comer Torey Krug, these veterans and this group of defensemen had high expectations coming into the season but just haven’t been as good as they might have hoped; injuries have played a part in some of the inconsistency, as well. Other key defenseman this season such as Kevan Miller, Joe Morrow, and Zach Trotman have all seen leads be blown or games start off all too quickly with goals by the opposing team.
One of the best examples of this so far on the national stage this season came in the Winter Classic. The Bruins hosted the Montreal Canadiens on a special rink at Gillette Stadium, home turf of the New England Patriots. One would think in such a high stakes game, where at the time the two teams were battling for first place in the Atlantic Division, that the Bruins on special home ice would have something to prove.
Instead the team quickly allowed a goal in the first period. The defense completely broke down like it has so many times, it seems to fans, this season. In the second and third period the Canadiens scored two more goals in each on goalie Tuukka Rask. The Canadians won the game 5-1. Unfortunately some of Rask’s great play this season, he has a save percentage of .915 (or 91.5%), has been marred by the defensive inconsistency. You can’t stop all the pucks coming your way especially when the offense is getting more penetration then it should.
Now Boston Bruins fans can still rejoice! Their team is fourth in the Eastern Conference of the NHL, falling only behind the Washington Capitals, the Florida Panthers, and the New York Rangers. The team’s current record sits at 31 wins, 20 losses, and 6 overtime games (31-20-6).
The Bruins offense has bailed them out a few times this season and overall played consistently. Left-winger Brad Marchand is having one of his best seasons, leading the team with 28 goals so far. Center David Krejci leads the team in the assistant column, with 32.
The Bruins have the makings of a good, if not great, postseason team if they can just find some consistency defensively. If the team can stiffen up in time for the playoffs, Bruins fans will be even more excited to bleed that black and gold. The rest of the NHL will not want to “poke the bear” if that happens.
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