James Atama
The Boston Bruins will aim to return to victory as they start a five-game stretch against competitive playoff teams, beginning with the Edmonton Oilers at home on Tuesday night.
After a challenging 0-3-0 road trip that wrapped up Saturday in Toronto, the Bruins managed to earn a point by rallying from a two-goal deficit in a 5-4 overtime loss to the New York Islanders the following evening. Despite this effort, they have not won since a 4-0 triumph on December 28 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The recent performance highlighted the Bruins’ inconsistent offensive showing. They recorded back-to-back four-goal games but had commenced the road trip with narrow 3-1 and 2-1 defeats, which resulted in a winless streak.
“For the most part, we didn’t do a very good job of doing what we do best,” Bruins forward Justin Brazeau said. “We’re a team that (thinks) defense first, so four should be enough for us to win on any given night.”
After initially taking a 1-0 lead, it was only David Pastrnak’s two goals in the third period that leveled the score and forced overtime. Interim coach Joe Sacco expressed satisfaction with the team’s comeback effort, especially given their recent success at home.
“That was a sign of resiliency,” Sacco said. “We would have liked to capture that extra point in overtime, but … considering the circumstances, I’m glad the guys hung in here right to the very end.”
Pastrnak is coming off a game he described as “confident,” having achieved his first multi-goal performances of the season in back-to-back outings. He currently leads the Bruins with 17 goals over 42 games, two more than captain Brad Marchand.
“Maybe luck wasn’t on (Pastrnak’s) side for a little while, but I think the chances have been there,” fellow forward Morgan Geekie said. “Obviously, the numbers maybe aren’t what they have been in the past, but we see the things he does on the ice and everything he brings away from the puck. It’s nice to see a couple go in (for him).”
The Oilers, meanwhile, travel to Boston as part of a four-game road trip, following a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, marking their third consecutive win and improving their record to 14-3-1 over the last 18 games.
Coach Kris Knoblauch is optimistic about his team’s recent play.
“I think we’ve been getting better since the break,” he said. “We were not sharp, details were lacking, execution and puck skills were not what they needed to be.
“They continue to get better and better,” Knoblauch continued. “I think it starts with playing good defense and working out from there.”
Several Oilers are performing well lately, including Leon Draisaitl, who extended his point streak to 14 games with a goal and an assist against Seattle. During this streak, he has compiled 12 goals and 15 assists, matching the longest stretch of his career.
“Whether it’s the power play, faceoffs or scoring goals, he’s been at another level,” Knoblauch said. “He stepped up in (Connor) McDavid’s absence (for three games in October and November) and he really hasn’t looked back.”
Fellow linemate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has netted four goals in the last five games, scoring in each of the last three victories.
Nugent-Hopkins became the fourth Oiler to reach double-digit goals. Draisaitl, who leads the NHL with 29 goals—nine of which are game-winners—tops the team in scoring.
These positive trends come as McDavid finds himself pointless in consecutive games for only the second time this season.
“I’m just trying to trust the process, and obviously, it doesn’t always happen for you, so you just have to trust it,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “I’m trying to do the right things and rely on habits, and I’m taking advantage of some really nice plays by other guys, too.”
