The Boston Bruins are embarking on a crucial road trip through California this week, facing the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks. This trip carries significant weight as the Bruins aim to avoid a repeat of their early October западный вояж, where they suffered three consecutive losses against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Utah Mammoth.
Currently, the Bruins hold the first position in the Atlantic Division with a record of 12-8-0. However, the divisional standings are tight, making every game a battle for positioning as the season progresses towards American Thanksgiving. Historically, a team's standing around Thanksgiving often foreshadows their playoff prospects, adding further importance to this road trip.
The Bruins are coming off a mixed bag of results. Their recent seven-game win streak was snapped by a 5-3 defeat against the Ottawa Senators on November 13. However, they bounced back with a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on November 15, reclaiming the top spot in their division. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman's performance has been noteworthy, securing his eighth win of the season against Montreal.
Offensively, David Pastrnak continues to be a key player for the Bruins. In the game against the Canadiens, Pastrnak contributed with two assists, setting up goals for Marat Khusnutdinov and Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson, before landing on injured reserve, had been having a strong start to the season. Khusnutdinov's goal against Montreal marked his third of the season, matching his total from the previous season. Mason Lohrei also contributed with a goal, his second of the season.
However, the Bruins are grappling with injuries that could impact their performance on this road trip. Key players Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt have been placed on injured reserve. Furthermore, defenseman Charlie McAvoy sustained a facial injury during the game against Montreal and his availability is uncertain. The team has recalled forwards Matej Blumel and Riley Tufte from Providence to fill the roster gaps. Coach Marco Sturm will face challenges in adjusting the lines due to these injuries.
The California teams present tough competition. The Anaheim Ducks have shown improvement after struggling in previous seasons. The Los Angeles Kings are always a formidable opponent, and the San Jose Sharks, despite their current standings, can be a tricky matchup.
The Bruins' previous winless западный вояж exposed some glaring flaws, including inconsistent offense and defensive struggles. During that stretch, the team only managed to score a limited number of goals, highlighting their over-reliance on Pastrnak for offensive production. To succeed on this upcoming trip, the Bruins need contributions from their entire roster and a more consistent defensive effort.
With injuries to key players and tough opponents ahead, the Bruins face a significant challenge on this California road trip. Avoiding another winless swing is crucial for maintaining their position in the Atlantic Division and solidifying their playoff aspirations.
