NHL Notebook: Bruins starting to regain sharp form after brief slump

The Bruins have strung wins together for the first time since their 10-game winning streak, seemingly snapping out of a 1-3-0 funk with back-to-back wins on the road in Winnipeg and Minnesota.

Bruins become the hunters against the Wild

Boston took down a scorching Minnesota team with a 5-2 win on Saturday. The B’s got contributions from top to bottom as five different skaters found the back of the net. 

The Wild had taken an 11-0-3 run into the matinee. Even with the Bruins putting forth a better effort against the Jets on Thursday, it was still a daunting task, heading into a raucous building against a rested and red-hot opponent. 

“It was good to try and have a mentality where we have the opportunity to end someone’s streak,” Jim Montgomery told reporters in Minneapolis. “Instead of being the hunted, we were hunting.”

For the first time in over a week, Montgomery and co. came away pleased with Boston’s full 60 minutes.  

“I thought we went after them as good as we’ve gone for a 60-minute game, probably since that Rangers game,” he said. “Probably even better than that Rangers game.”

Brad Marchand said in the NESN postgame interview, “It was a good test for us. They’ve been playing really well, lately, and we haven’t had many games lately where we’ve played our way and played consistently through 60 minutes. Thought we did a really good job of that. We didn’t really have any big letdowns at all throughout the game, and when we had to come up big, we did. And we just kind of kept pushing, and that’s why we’ve been good all year.”

Two successful challenges for offside certainly helped things as video coaches Mat Myers and Sean Andrake came away with the game puck. The first prevented the Wild from taking a 2-0 lead, and the second stopped them from tying it 2-2. David Krejci went down and made it 3-1 shortly after. 

“Gotta give credit to Sean and Matty for catching those,” Linus Ullmark said. “It was huge. We got a couple of momentum swings because we got it right back and go up 3-1 [after the second disallowed goal].”

The two lines that shined the brightest for the B’s were the top line and the third line. Jake DeBrusk came up with a critical tying goal when he picked the top right corner late in the first, and Patrice Bergeron added key insurance in the third. Marchand had three assists. The trio outscored Minnesota, 2-0, at 5-on-5, and their forechecking pressure was especially key on the two tallies. 

“I thought the Bergeron line set the tone for us,” Montgomery said. “Couple of great forechecking goals. Everyone was involved, but I liked their game management. … That unselfishness that we’ve seen throughout the year was very evident tonight.”

Marchand and Bergeron went to work behind the goal to free up the puck before Bergeron found DeBrusk streaking into the zone for the first-period equalizer. On Bergeron’s tally, it was Marchand and DeBrusk creating havoc below the dots as the two outworked Jon Merril, allowing Marchand to curl around the net and find the captain in the slot. 

The Charlie Coyle line was just as effective on the forecheck, making life miserable for Minnesota. The trio of Coyle, Tyler Bertuzzi and Trent Frederic were far and away Boston’s best at 5-on-5, holding a 7-1 edge in scoring chances (3-0 high-danger) and an 80 percent share of shot attempts as a line, according to Natural Stat Trick. 

“When they play the way they did… especially Charlie tonight, he seemed like a man possessed,” Montgomery said. “Didn’t want to give up the puck. … Altogether, that line was terrific for us. They set the tone as far as swinging the momentum of the game back toward us.”

Frederic’s pressure was especially important ahead of DeBrusk’s goal, buying time in the offensive zone and getting the puck into space behind the net as the Bergeron line changed on. 

“I just tried to bring it, I thought my linemates played well and I thought as a whole we played well,” Coyle said. “When guys are going and your teammates are doing it the right way, it kind of brings your game up, too. … [Physical play and puck protection] just gets us going. I know for me and [Frederic], being big guys, when we’re controlling the puck, that’s when we play our best. 

“That puck possession is so huge for us. … You’re bouncing off of guys, you’re in the game and you’re initiating contact. You usually tire them out. Hopefully, you don’t get too tired before they do, and you make something happen. Yeah, we didn’t cash in until the end, but it wears them down. That next line comes out – hopefully [the other team] hasn’t changed – and we’ve set the other guys up.”

As a result of the two lines' pressure, the middle of the ice was wide open for Boston, particularly at even strength. 

Saturday's win in Minnesota and Thursday's in Winnipeg are the types of funk-ending victories that help quiet the ever-present fear of going the way of the 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning or other former Presidents' Trophy winners, which grew louder during the B's stretch of three losses in four..

It's been brought up plenty, but Boston's had to create its own motivation for a while now. If the road trip was a best-of-five series, they've clawed back to even it up at two apiece. To go along with Montgomery's analogy, the predator became the prey, and with its back against the wall, responded like it has all season when faced with a slump. It may seem like a few months ago, rather than just a couple of weeks, but the last time they dealt with a losing streak, the Bruins followed it up with a 10-game run of wins. 

Defensive depth makes Forbort's injury easier to withstand

Forbort was seen in a walking boot after the win against the Jets after taking a shot off the ankle. Montgomery was mum on the defenseman’s status in Minnesota on Friday. He did not play against the Wild on Saturday and will not be in against Buffalo on Sunday.

“He went and got another MRI or X-ray today,” Montgomery said Friday. “We do not have an update.”

Connor Clifton drew right back into the lineup as Forbort’s injury likely puts a stop to the defensive rotation for every game, at least for the time being. Although, the plan is for Jakub Zboril to get into a game soon to give another regular a rest.

“We’re gonna get Zboril a game, probably Sunday in Buffalo,” Montgomery said. 

For guys like Clifton and Matt Grzelyck, it’s a chance to help set themselves apart in the rotation as Game 1 of the playoffs draws near. It’s a critical opportunity for Clifton in particular, who has not been himself of late, especially during the Bruins’ recent slump. 

He was arguably Boston’s worst skater in Tuesday’s loss against Chicago. At 5-on-5 the Blackhawks out-attempted the Bruins, 14-7. His 1.67 expected goals-against at 5-on-5 were tied with Forbort for the worst mark among B’s skaters, according to Natural Stat Trick. In all situations, he held a 1.93 expected goals-against marker, also last for Boston. He also ranked last for the Bruins in that category at 5-on-5 in each of the two games against Detroit last weekend. 

Granted, Clifton isn’t asked to play a glamorous role on the third pair, and he was much better against Minnesota, on the ice for two five-on-five goals-for and none against. Boston held a 26-12 edge in shot attempts with him on the ice and a 16-6 advantage in scoring chances.

Either way, if Clifton does find himself as the odd man out for the start of the first round, he likely won’t be out of the lineup very long. Montgomery has been open about likely using all seven defensemen at some point or another in the playoffs, given the war of attrition that takes place. 

It’s been talked about ad nauseam, but it’s always good to remember, there’s no such thing as too many defensemen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Injuries will happen, and the Bruins have set themselves up nicely to handle them, whether it’s having seven bonafide NHL defensemen on the roster in addition to Zboril, Mike Reilly, Anton Stralman and Jack Ahcan further down the depth chart. 

Regardless, the Bruins should hope Forbort’s injury isn’t overly significant, considering the value he brings to the penalty kill. Boston managed fine without him on Saturday, going 4-for-5 on the kill, but his bigger body in front is a presence that should not be overlooked.

Lauko adding another wrench into lineup plans

It’s a good problem to have.

Whether we’re talking about the possible configurations on defense, or now what to do with the bottom six when everyone is healthy, the Bruins have no shortage of possible options. 

In terms of the bottom six, when Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno are available again, Boston could have as many as six guys in competition for their spots in the lineup between Foligno, Frederic, Tomas Nosek, Garnet Hathaway, A.J. Greer and Jakub Lauko.

In his small sample size this season, Lauko has certainly made a strong impression with three goals and five points in 12 games, including a two-goal outing against the Buffalo Sabres on March 2. 

He was effective in his role as a fourth line checking winger against Winnipeg, serving as a spark plug for Boston. It was just his second NHL game in about a month, and he logged a team-low 6:28 of ice time. But he drew two penalties and had five scoring chances (one high-danger), all with zero offensive zone starts. With Lauko on the ice, Boston out-attempted the Jets, 7-2, per Natural Stat Trick. Each of his scoring chances came between the face-off circles, either right in front of the crease or in the high slot. 

“[His spark] is a major thing,” Montgomery said in Winnipeg. “He drew two penalties because you know what, he goes to the hard areas. His first shift of the second after we killed off a couple penalties, he had three scoring chances in that first shift. It’s good energy. It gets our guys excited because we see the success he has with the speed he creates for us, He’s putting the other team on their heels and puts the other line coming on in a real good situation.”

Even after being on the emergency recall roller coaster during this road trip, Lauko has been sharp when called upon in game action. 

The fourth line didn’t find the same success offensively in Minnesota, shouldering another defensive workload, but Lauko still managed to generate three scoring chances. 

Hall returns to the ice

Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic tweeted Friday that Taylor Hall skated at Warrior Ice Arena.

It’s the first time (at least on record) that Hall, currently on LTIR, has skated since going down with a lower-body injury at the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 25. 

The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont reported last week that Hall aimed to return to skating on Monday and potentially return to game action towards the end of this current road swing. Considering Hall is back in Boston while the B’s are heading to Buffalo from Minnesota, it’s unlikely that he’s back during this trip.

The CBA stipulates that a player on LTIR must miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days. If his placement on LTIR is retroactive to Feb. 25, then Hall became eligible to return on Saturday. 

As of March 10, Montgomery said the hope is that Hall would be back in time for the playoffs, reiterating the significance of the injury. 

Let the goalies fight

Minnesota was coming off a wild 8-5 win in St. Louis that saw them erase a 3-1 deficit en route to the win. Ryan Hartman scored a go-ahead goal to make it 5-4 and inadvertently clipped Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington's pad on his way by to celebrate with his teammates.

As has become customary in recent years, Binnington completely lost his mind, racing over to feed a blocker right to Hartman's mug before a scrum ensued. With the Wild a man down in the scrum, Fleury skated down and dropped his glove and blocker. Binnington obliged, but the officials wouldn't let them go. 

"I saw him jump in there and punch one of the guys, so I felt that was my guy I had to take care of," Fleury told reporters. "Yeah, I crossed the ice and took off my helmet, so I think I wanted it. The refs were pretty quick in there."

Binnington was given a match penalty and ejected. He received a two-game suspension as a result. 

Who knows how Fleury would have faired, considering Binnington had some wires crossed, but it would have been appointment viewing.

"We're not done, come on. It'll be good," Fleury said during the skirmish, mic'd up for the game. "He's always looking to fight someone. It'll be fun, no? Get the crowd going a bit, yeah?"

As for the Bruins, probably don't expect to see either Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman getting into it anytime soon though.

"I haven't even given it a thought, so I can't answer that intelligently," Montgomery said ahead of Saturday's tilt in Minneapolis. "I would imagine Swayman might, but my guess is Linus, no."

Tuukka Rask and Jimmy Howard got into it amid the chaos of a Bruins-Red Wings scrum back in Dec. 2018. The two greats for their respective franchises were ready and willing to go, but again the officials put a stop to it. The madness was a result of an altercation between Marchand and Bertuzzi, now teammates. 

At the time, Rask was unhappy they wouldn't let them go.

"You need to get at least one under your belt in your career," he said. 

Tim Thomas and Carey Price got one in during a Bruins-Canadiens classic in 2011, although it turned out to be more of a wrestling match than anything. 

There have been some dust-ups in recent years, many of them with Binnington at the center, but the last actual fight between two goaltenders that could be found came in the Battle of Alberta on Feb. 1, 2020, between Cam Talbot and Mike Smith, another usual suspect. 

Since, we've had some come close, including one between John Gibson and Phoenix Copley earlier this season.

Binnington has been itching for a scrap for what feels like an eternity. Will he ever get one?

Could the salary cap see a significant boost sooner than expected?

New NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh, who officially starts Monday, may already be gearing up for his first battle with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. 

Reports coming out of this week’s GM meetings indicate that Bettman may be willing to negotiate a greater increase of the salary cap next year, as opposed to the expected $1 million bump to $83.5 million. 

The catch is escrow, that lovely word around the CBA and the salary cap. Basically, escrow is the percentage of money taken out of players’ contracts and placed into an account that ensures a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue (HRR) between owners and players. Per the CBA, escrow was capped at 10 percent this season. It will be at six percent for the final three seasons of the current CBA.

The players’ escrow debt due to the pandemic is being paid off faster than expected, per Elliotte Friedman, but it won’t be gone completely before the end of this season. Since there is still debt, the cap should technically only go up $1 million, instead of a possible $4 million that was hinted at back in October. However, if revenue were to pass $4.8 billion, which Friedman writes it has, then the cap increase by more than a million, per the CBA. 

“I suppose there’s always a possibility of negotiation once the new Executive Director of the Players’ Association [starts], but subject to that, it appears the cap will go up $1 million,” Bettman told reporters in Florida.

If the debt is paid off, Bettman said we could be looking at a $4.5 million bump, perhaps. Again, the catch is escrow. 

“It could be a discussion,” Bettman said Wednesday. “We’re hearing around the bend from players and others that there may be interest in having that, but one thing to keep in mind if we’re going to raise the cap and the escrow hasn’t been paid off, is then we’re going to have to look at raising the escrow rates. …The two are inextricably tied together.”

Raising the rates would certainly be unpopular with the players, who opted for the lower rates drawn out over a longer period during the last negotiations. From Bettman’s perspective, why would the league create another debt to worry about if it doesn’t have to? It’s a classic give-and-take to weigh out. 

Either way, it’s worth keeping an eye on. You can see how much the marginal cap increases have impacted business around the league. Just look at the number of deals that needed a third team to play broker at the deadline. 

From the Bruins’ point of view, it’s why even with money coming off the books, they’re still headed toward a squeeze this offseason. It’s why Reilly is still kicking it in Providence, why he and Craig Smith went unclaimed through waivers and so on. 

The odds aren’t favorable, but maybe, just maybe, the flat cap era may be behind us sooner than we think.