After starting the season 3-0 at home, it looked like the Boston Bruins might surprise some people and surpass expectations this year. However, that optimism was immediately dampered by a four-game losing streak, including three consecutive road losses.
The Bruins return home this week after going 0-3 out west against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Utah Mammoth. Boston’s offense continued to struggle, scoring just three goals over its last two games combined and averaging just three goals per game this season.
The defense has hit a rough patch as well after a strong start. After allowing just five goals over their first three games, the Bruins have surrendered 17 goals over their last four.
Despite good goaltending from Jeremy Swayman and David Pastrnak leading the offense, they haven’t gotten enough help from the rest of Boston’s relatively thin roster. The Bruins played well against subpar competition to begin the year but have quickly been exposed by legit contenders.
“They’re what we thought they would be. Mediocre hockey team. That’s what they are, and it’s because of that lack of talent,” Evan Marinofsky said on Sunday night’s episode of the “Bruins Beat” podcast on CLNS following Boston’s 3-2 loss to the Mammoth.
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Co-host Conor Ryan agreed, adding, “Yeah, you’re just not seeing remotely enough generation beyond whatever Pastrnak’s gonna give you.”
Pastrnak is largely a one-man show on offense, attempting more than twice as many shots (65) as anyone else on the team (Elias Lindholm is second with 32). The Bruins have only 13 goals in seven games that he hasn’t either scored or assisted on, struggling to generate offense when he’s off the ice.
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Fortunately for Boston, six of its next seven games are at TD Garden. This week’s homestand won’t be easy, however, with three games against the Avalanche, Florida Panthers and Anaheim Ducks.