Bruins Off to a Slow Start in 2017

© 2107 Jordan Long

Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude!


The Boston Bruins are off to a tough 2-3-0 start for 4 points, 6th in the Atlantic Division.  Boston won’t play again until Thursday when they host the Vancouver Canucks.


There are many reasons for the slow start.  Boston isn’t able to stop opponents from scoring.  They allow them to spend time in their defensive zone creating scoring opportunities that frequently end in goals.  They give up a far too many 29.2 shots per game giving opponents an average 3.60 goals per game.  


The Bruins are having difficulty on the power play kill, squandering 80% of their penalties.  They don’t shoot the puck to the other end to kill time off the penalty.  When they do, opponents block the attempt and set up their power play.  Teams will screen in front of goaltender Anton Khudobin and Tuukka Rask for tip-ins ending in goals.


Boston hasn’t been able to generate offense.  They are scoring 2.80 goals per game.  That is low for a team that has offensive weapons in left wing Brad Marchand, centers David Krejci and Riley Nash, right winger David Pastrnak, and defenseman Zdeno Chára.


The only area in which the Bruins are having success in the early season is the power play which is at 21.1%.  Boston is able to set up the power play on the man advantage.  They are making it hard for the opposition to clear the puck allowing Boston to take advantage to score goals.


It’s not the best start for the Bruins.  Boston has plenty of time to turn it around with 77 games left to play.  It is not time to panic but the team must start playing better hockey if they want to make it to the postseason.