BOSTON — Christmas is now a month gone by, but the gifts keep coming for the Boston Bruins offensively.
Since the NHL’s mandated holiday break, Boston has found its scoring touch. They’re averaging 4.43 goals per contest in 14 games since the holiday — a significant uptick from the 3.23 they were generating over their first 31 outings.
On Monday night, they did something no team had done against the Winnipeg Jets in 35 games: score more than three goals against them. The Bruins’ 4-1 victory, came against the best defensive club in the circuit, one that had given up a mere 100 goals through its first 44 contests.
No doubt Boston was motivated after being embarrassed in Winnipeg (5-1) last month. But that was only a fraction of why they prevailed Monday; their recent offensive boost, combined with another strong night from goalie Jeremy Swayman (21 saves) and his defense, allowed the Black-and-Gold to pick up their fifth straight win and improve to 10-4 since Dec. 27.
“We’re playing the right way, doing the little things,” said Charlie Coyle, who had both a goal and an assist Monday. “Everyone’s doing their part, doing the little details that pay off, and we push the lead even more.”
Third line winger Jakub Lauko potted his second goal of the season (within a 5-day span) to get the scoring started, followed by Coyle’s lamplighter late in the first period to make it 2-1. It remained that way into the third, when Jake DeBrusk scored a knife-through-the-visitor’s-hearts shorthanded tally with just over five minutes remaining. Captain Brad Marchand then put the cherry on the top of the sundae with an empty netter.
Head coach Jim Montgomery, with his team playing four games in a six-day stretch, rolled out four lines regularly, with eight of his 12 forwards earning at least a point. This came on the heels of a 9-goal outburst Saturday night against Montreal that saw Danton Heinen record his first career hat trick. Go back one game prior to that (a 5-2 home win over Colorado), and that’s 18 goals in the Bruins’ last three contests.
“Any time you have multiple guys producing offensively, it’s always a good thing,” said DeBrusk, whose slow offensive start now seems to be a thing of the past; his shorty was his 12th goal of 2023-24.
“Nine goals is an anomaly, but (Monday) was a night where it shows our identity and what we can do. Even in tight games against the best defensive team in the league.”
The Bruins’ 162 goals heading into Tuesday’s action are tied for fourth best in the league. They’re also popping them home at opportune times, as their 60 third period markers (3rd in the NHL) attest to.
As the jelly to the offense’s peanut better, Boston’s defense has surrendered just 120 goals in 46 games, good for sixth overall. Their goal differential of plus-41 also ranks third amongst all 32 teams.
David Pastrnak is up to 30 goals and could be celebrating another 50-goal campaign. Marchand is up to 21 now, followed by Coyle (17), Trent Frederic (13), DeBrusk (12) and Pavel Zacha (10).
What’s certainly been noticeable over the last month is how the team’s first-year guys, those who came from different organizations and systems, have started to jell and find their rhythm offensively. Heinen, who was on a PTO and didn’t officially sign with the team until late October, has eight tallies; same with Morgan Geekie, while James van Riemsdyk has netted seven. Rookies John Beecher and Matthew Poitras each have five, same as first-time Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (second only to Charlie McAvoy’s 6 among Boston blueliners).
When asked why the offense has seemingly hit its stride, Montgomery was his usual thorough self.
“A willingness to hang onto the puck, willingness to play five guys together, especially coming out of our defensive zone through the neutral zone, and really in the offensive zone,” he said. “Our D have been active and opened up space for the forwards, and the forwards have done a really good job of making plays when they’re there, and hanging onto the puck or putting them to areas where we continue to possess.”
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Phil Stacey, Executive Sports Editor of The Salem News, covers the Boston Bruins and pro hockey for North of Boston Media Group. Contact him at pstacey@salemnews.com and follow him on Twitter/X @PhilStacey_SN