Although the Bruins have not consistently performed to their standards this season, Boston is still firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff mix.
While the Black and Gold are enjoying a few days off for the holidays, here are three things that can help the Bruins spark a turnaround in the new year.
Recall Matthew Poitras From Providence
Poitras has been an absolute heater since being sent down to Providence on Nov. 12 to help develop his game.
There’s playing well and producing, but Poitras has been on a torrid pace (seven goals, nine assists over 17 games) since his demotion. It’s not just that he’s producing at a high level; it’s the way he’s been scoring goals both off the rush and around the net.
The 20-year-old forward has been receiving critical time on the power play, too, which can only benefit Boston.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney would have to clear a roster spot to bring Poitras back up. That’s not an easy decision to make given how the Bruins have started to get scoring from other players not named Brad Marchand or David Pastrnak.
Continue To Show Confidence, Dangerous Side
The Bruins showed confidence, resiliency and belief in themselves in a come-from-behind win against the Calgary Flames on Dec. 17.
Marchand recognized how important those things were to the club and knew the team could achieve greatness if they continued to trust themselves.
“Confidence and belief is dangerous,” Marchand said. “… We’re starting to have that belief again that we can come back in these situations.”
Marchand is not wrong. The Bruins did not start the season with many wins under Jim Montgomery. However, since the coaching change, Boston has gone 10-4-1 under interim head coach Joe Sacco, even putting together a four-game winning streak for the first time this season.
If the Bruins continue to believe in themselves and play solid team defense in front of Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo, they can certainly continue to build their confidence and put teams away when they hold a lead.
Bring In Top Goal Scorer At Trade Deadline
There is absolutely no reason the Bruins should stand pat if they are still in the playoff mix come Mar. 7.
Sweeney should absolutely find a way to bring in either a top-six goal scorer to take some of the weight off Marchand’s and Pastrnak’s shoulders or a top-line center to help create more plays for the skaters around him.
While the Bruins don’t have draft picks to part with, Sweeney would need to move some players or prospects to get a deal done. Unfortunately for Bruins fans, that will probably mean saying goodbye to one of your favorites or even a player you never thought would not don the Spoked-B.
It remains to be seen what Sweeney’s approach will be at the trade deadline, but adding a legitimate goal scorer to complement Pastrnak would be the ultimate holiday gift for the Black and Gold.
