The Boston Bruins are currently riding a six-game winning streak after a 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Despite injuries and lineup changes, the Bruins have found ways to win, showcasing their depth and resilience. Among the many positive aspects of the week, two particularly stood out.
Mason Lohrei's Adjustment
After being a healthy scratch for five games, defenseman Mason Lohrei returned to the lineup on the third pairing alongside Jonathan Aspirot and delivered his best performance of the season. Lohrei's offensive upside has been evident, but his defensive play has been a concern. Coach Marco Sturm's decision to give Lohrei a "reset" seems to have paid off.
In the game against Toronto, Lohrei demonstrated his potential. During five-on-five play, the Bruins outshot the Maple Leafs 8-2 with Lohrei on the ice, achieving a 2-0 goal differential and a 60.9 Corsi For percentage. His expected goals for percentage was an impressive 72.17. He nearly scored a highlight-reel goal, showcasing his offensive skills. By playing him in a sheltered role, Lohrei can positively impact the game without the pressure of larger minutes and tougher matchups.
Scoring Depth
One of the Bruins' strengths this season is their ability to get contributions from throughout the lineup. In their recent stretch of wins, different players have stepped up each night. This depth makes the Bruins a difficult team to play against, as opponents cannot focus on shutting down just one or two star players. Players like Marat Khusnutdinov, Mark Kastelic, Fraser Minten, and others have all scored game-winning goals.
Fraser Minten, in particular, has embraced a bigger role with the Bruins. After being acquired from another organization, Minten has seized the opportunities given to him. Coach Sturm seems to appreciate Minten's abilities, and he could develop into a valuable player for the Bruins. David Pastrnak has even predicted that Morgan Geekie could score 30 goals this season.
The Bruins' power play has also been a key factor in their success, operating at nearly 23%. Assistant coach Steve Spott has implemented an unpredictable and well-coached system that has proven difficult for opponents to scout. This has added another dimension to the Bruins' offensive attack.
Overall, the Bruins have exceeded expectations this season. Despite facing challenges, they have demonstrated resilience and a team-first mentality. With contributions coming from all areas of the roster and a commitment to playing a strong defensive game, the Bruins have solidified their place as a contender in the Atlantic Division.
