Well, it’s that time of year again folks. Christmas is in the air and with it comes the hopes and dreams of many to have their wishes fulfilled. Whether it be by fortune or by Santa Claus himself, Christmas wish lists are out in full force. For the NHL and its 32 teams the season is quickly approaching the halfway point. Contenders have separated themselves from the pretenders save for a handful of bubble teams. This is where the Boston Bruins find themselves on December 22nd. 18-13-4, to be specific and that’s good for third place in the Atlantic. However, with the Tampa Bay Lightning only two points behind them and having five games in hand on the B’s, the Bruins are more realistically in a wild card position. Boston will have their hands full the rest of the way as they try to stay in the playoff structure. The suddenly hot Ottawa Senators are on their heels and ruling out the New York Rangers feels premature at this point. Here now is the Bruins wish list as constructed by yours truly.
Jeremy Swayman returns to form
The Bruins clear cut number one goalie is struggling this season. After missing all of training camp in the well documented contract dispute with the Bruins, Swayman has had a rough go of it in the season’s first half. In the twenty-four games he has started the record isn’t living up to expectations. At 11-10-3 and with a 3.13 GAA and .887 SV%, the Bruins goaltender isn’t doing what he has in the past. That would be saving the Bruins bacon from their roster deficiencies. It could be the pressure of the new contract or it could also be the pressure of knowing Linus Ullmark isn’t on the bench to share the goaltending responsibilities anymore. Whatever the reason, Swayman will need a strong second half to help the Bruins reach the postseason and for them to advance past the potential first round. He’s the guy and he needs to act like it.
Healthy Hampus
Hampus Lindholm was arguably the Bruins best player when he went down to injury in November. The defenseman was off to a great start compiling 7pts in 17 games but it was his two-way game that stood out. On the day he was injured, said to be a broken knee cap from blocking a shot vs St. Louis, the Swedish defenseman had just been anointed the first unit powerplay quarterback job. Tough break. Quite literally. With a January return date penciled in, the B’s are no doubt anticipating his return. The Bruin’s defense has had its struggles as Mason Lohrei and Nikita Zadorov continue to find their footing as full-time members of the black and gold. A healthy Hampus will stabilize the blue line.
Goals
If the term “Squad Goals” ever applied more it would be to the 2024-25 Boston Bruins. With 91 goals to date the Bruins find themselves 26th in the ultra-important category. David Pastrnak is underperforming, Brad Marchand isn’t the top line winger he once was and GM Don Sweeney didn’t replace Jake DeBrusk after letting him walk in Free Agency last summer. Even James Van Reimsdyk and Danton Heinen chipped in to make the Bruins a better offensive team last season. More is needed from guys like Justin Brazeau, Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm in the scoring department. Recently however there have been positive signs from guys like Pastrnak and Geekie who currently ride along with Zacha as the Bruins top line. Adding Oliver Wahlstrom via waivers from the New York Islanders is intriguing but he isn’t going to catapult the team into the top offensive tier of the league. Goals, are a big goal!
Continued Sacco Success
Joe Sacco is 10-4-1 in his first fifteen games as Boston’s interim Head Coach. He has managed 21 of 30pts in that time and has the Bruins playing a much more structurally sound defensive game. As highlighted above, the team isn’t going to win many 5-1 games and will continue to rely heavily on their team defense. Sacco has the team playing much more to the Bruins identity of the past. Similar to the structure of Bruce Cassidy, Boston has become much stingier of an opponent. Now if only he could get Patrice Bergeron back! Talk about a Christmas wish.
A Playoff Spot
It’s going to be a grind but the Bruins should control their destiny. This is the type of team that can do damage once the playoffs begin. If Swayman can regain his form, the Bruins have to experience to be a tough out. Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov are players that will elevate their games come playoff time and one has to assume that they were brought in for that very reason. Just get in and you never know, right?
The Lookahead
Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season. Thank you to Pawel and Evan for the opportunity to cover the Bruins this year and to all who took the time to read any of my articles. All the best and see you in 2025!
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant / Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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