Takeaways vs. Lightning & Prospect Report
Welcome to the THW Boston Bruins Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Bruins writers.
In today’s edition, we have takeaways vs. the Lightning, the latest prospect report, and more.
It would be great if you’d share the THW Bruins Substack with your friends and family so that they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Now on to the good stuff…
3 Takeaways From Bruins’ 5-4 Overtime Loss to Lightning
November 21, 2023 by Michael DeRosa
After two convincing 5-2 wins over the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins looked to build on their winning streak against the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, the Bruins blew another lead late into the third period and then fell to the Lightning in overtime by a 5-4 final score. Overall, this was another frustrating loss for the Bruins, so let’s go over a few takeaways from the contest now.
Bruins Prospects Report: Lysell, Bussi, Farinacci & More
November 21, 2023 by Scott Roche
Nearly two months into their respective seasons, some of the Boston Bruins prospects are off to good starts with their teams. This season in Boston so far, Matthew Poitras, John Beecher and Mason Lohrei have made huge contributions for second-year coach Jim Montgomery.
Other prospects with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) are off to good starts and some, like Lohrei was, are an injury away from being up in the NHL. In the latest edition of the Bruins Prospects Report, it’s time to check in on some of the Black and Gold’s prospects in different leagues.
Bobby Orr’s Flying Goal
November 21, 2023 by Drew Johnson
You’ve probably heard of Bobby Orr. Widely considered the best defenseman to ever play the game, and even considered by some the best player ever, the legendary No. 4 took his first strides in the NHL during the 1966-67 season — but, it was during Orr’s prime that he dominated the league. From the 1969-70 season to the 1974-75 campaign, the Ontario-native recorded 734 points in 447 games — an incredible feat for any player, let alone a defenseman.
But there is one campaign that seems to rise above the rest. During the Boston Bruins 1969-70 season, Orr netted a remarkable 33 goals and 87 assists in 76 games. He took home the Hart, Norris, Art Ross, and Conn Smythe Trophies and his first Stanley Cup. The Cup was a result of Orr’s most memorable moment — his flying goal.
Bruins News & Rumors: Geekie, DeBrusk, Coyle & More
November 20, 2023 by Michael DeRosa
In this latest edition of Boston Bruins News & Rumors, forward Morgan Geekie has taken a positive step with his recovery from his undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Jake DeBrusk ended a four-game pointless streak against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 18. Could this spark the 2015 first-round pick to get back on track? Furthermore, Charlie Coyle has had a great start to the season and is not showing signs of slowing down. Let’s discuss all of this and more in today’s (Nov 20) Bruins News & Rumors column.
Bruins’ Zacha Stepping Up as Top Center in 2023-24
November 19, 2023 by Hannah Garfield
It’s a bit strange to say about a player who is only 26 and has been in the NHL for less than 10 years, but Pavel Zacha has had a resurgence to his career since his trade to the Boston Bruins from the New Jersey Devils during the 2022 offseason. The sixth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he did not have a smooth transition to the NHL and struggled to live up to expectations and his potential.
Last season though turned into a breakout performance from him. He was moved out to the wing and got valuable minutes and experience playing with both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. With the retirement of the two centers this past offseason, Zacha returned to the center spot, taking over for Bergeron on the first line.
There were of course concerns about whether or not he was up for the task, and whether or not he could match his terrific 2022-23 season. But so far in 2023-24, he’s been putting those doubts to sleep. While he may not be the next Bergeron (not that anyone was ever really going to be able to completely replicate his elite play), Zacha has shown that he is capable of playing in the first-line center role and that last season was not a fluke.