Disappointing to see that the situations this past week regarding the signing, and then the termination of Mitchell Miller, has overshadowed the Bruins’ solid play that has them in first place of the Atlantic Division. Owners of an impressive 11-2-0 records, winning seven of their last eight games, it should be a satisfying streak, leading to joy. Instead of a celebration, a pall is cast by the unfortunate mistakes leading to, and from the Miller situation. Due mainly to the reactions of the Bruins players, and the public and fan base, decisions were made, but a bit too late, as many questions were left unanswered. A quick resolution to the signing/termination matter is needed, in order to put it in the past, allowing the team’s current success to come to the forefront.
On the plus side, Boston head coach Jim Montgomery has stimulated his team to play his designated style of ‘attack’ scoring, mainly encouraging the defense to step up into the play, and the results have been rewarding. Through press time on Wednesday, the defense had contributed 27 points to the score sheet, with 13 of them coming from defenseman Hampus Lindholm. Look no further than the outstanding goaltending from Linus Ullmark, who boasts a superb 9-1-0 record with a 2.05 goals-against-average, and a .932 save percentage, for the team’s success. Montgomery’s style of play has 15 different Bruins players scoring at least one goal in the 54 netted thus far. That balance is the main factor that the locals have a record of 11-2-0, second only, in the NHL, to the Vegas Golden Knights’ 12-2-0 record, to lead the Pacific Division, coached by former Bruins coach, Bruce Cassidy.
Tonight (Thursday at 7:00pm) the Bruins will host the somewhat struggling Calgary Flames (3-5-2 last ten games), before getting back on the road to be hosted by the Buffalo Sabres (Saturday at 7:00pm), who at press time had lost their last three games. The Bs return to Garden ice on Sunday at 6:00pm, to host the Vancouver Canucks, currently with a less than .500 record (4-6), and begin a three-game home stand. Included will be visits from the Philadelphia Flyers (Thursday at 7:00pm), the Flyers are on a two-game win streak and playing good hockey, ending the Boston home stand with the Chicago Blackhawks (Saturday at 7:00pm).