The Bruins’ biggest weapon is recharging for the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs. It hasn’t been working well of late, so coach Bruce Cassidy is breaking it down, cleaning it up and rebuilding it in time for the postseason.
Boston’s weapon of choice is a five-barrel attack. When the Bruins are generating offense as a five-man unit, it's nearly unbeatable, which is one reason this team finished second in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division.
Structure in the defensive zone has been an issue of late. When the team is experiencing those types of breakdowns, it affects the breakout, and without synergy in that area, the offense usually decreases.
“That’s been missing lately where we’re attacking as a group of five,” Cassidy said.
As part of his checklist to prepare for the team’s first-round matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Cassidy will discuss the team’s need to defend the front of its net better. A lot of that is stick positioning, closing off passing and shooting lanes. Protect the blue line and shut down the opposition’s attack in the neutral zone.
A key to the team’s success in this area is rookie defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. He was a healthy scratch on Saturday and returned on Sunday during the team’s 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. His defensive miscue at Boston’s blue line resulted in Florida’s first goal.
HENRIK BORGSTROM'S FIRST NHL GOAL! PANTHERS LEAD! pic.twitter.com/QxjSMaJ7vu
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) April 9, 2018