The Bruin’s Young Guns
It’s good to be young. The Boston Bruins have one of the youngest lineups in the NHL and it is working for them. Of their nightly 20-man roster 6 guys are 25 years old or younger. Those guys are David Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy, Danton Heinen, Matt Grzelcyk, Sean Kuraly and the injured Brandon Carlo. These young guys have lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and now they look to lead them in the playoffs as well.. Oh the future is bright!
David Pastrnak is 21 years old and is playing the best hockey of his young career. The young standout has accrued 18 points in the Bruins 9 playoff games. That’s 2nd among all skaters in the playoffs. Pasta has been working his way into the talk for Conn Smythe and at this point he deserves it. Pasta has been leading the young Bruins this postseason and he led them during the regular season too, look fro him to be the biggest factor for the young Bruins.
Jake DeBrusk has also shown his ability in his first postseason experience in Boston. He’s notched 8 points in his first 9 postseason games, capitalizing with 6 goals. DeBrusk has shown no fear shooting the puck this playoffs and the Bruins need him to cash in more during this series against the Lightning he has one goal in this series so far but he’s still creating opportunities for his line mates Krejci and Nash.
Charlie McAvoy has been a workhorse for the Bruins in his second opportunity in the playoffs. McAvoy is the top pairing defenseman the Bruins have been searching for and his playtime and ability level show he belongs on that top line. McAvoy’s offense has come alive in the second round, as he’s notched a goal and two assists in the first two games. McAvoy will look to run a struggling Bruin’s power play and they need him to help get back on their feet in this series. His speed and skill will help fend off some fast Lightning forwards.
Next up Danton Heinen. The young forward has been up and down so far this postseason but when Cassidy and the Bruins needed him most he came through in a big moment ripping a puck past Freddy Andersen to give tie the game in first period. Heinen has earned a lot f respect in the Bruins locker room and he deserves it, he’s played up and down the lineup during the season and is a lock on that third line for the future. He’s slumped a bit in the playoffs but if Riley Nash can get going on that third line look for Heinen to break out with him.
Matt Grzelcyk has been a great player for the Bruins. Grzelyck wasn’t supposed to be anything this season, he wasn’t supposed to make the team and he certainly wasn’t supposed to be a regular defenseman. He forced his way into his lineup with the play. He’s carried his solid play into his first playoff experience and has played well. Don’t expect him to make or break a series but he will put a solid effort tin night in and night out. He has the ability to be a strong puck moving defenseman and he’s shown that by putting together some strong games and gaining an assist with a plus 1 rating in 8 games
Lastly, Sean Kuraly who is slightly under appreciated. Kuraly has filled the bottom six of Boston’s forward group the whole year and has been an anchor on Boston’s fourth line. He’s been seeing some time on the third line this postseason as Riley Nash has been struggling. Kuraly is a grinder but he does have some hand as well. He’s picked up four points so far and will look to keep adding as the Bruins continue into the playoffs.
Also, can’t forget about Brandon Carlo the other young defenseman for the Bruins. Carlo is missing this postseason after suffering a breaking his ankle during the end of the regular season. Carlo has been a steady second pair defenseman and will be a staple on the Bruins’ blueline for the future and hopefully he can get himself healthy for next season to compete in his first Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Bruins will play Game Three tonight in Boston with the series tied at 1-1. The Bruins look to bounce back after a tough loss in Tampa. Vasilevskiy has looked beatable in this series and if they can get more pressure and shots on him they should be able to take command of this series. The puck is dropped tonight at 7:00 on NBCSN.
– Written By Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith4386)