Because the Boston Bruins gear up for the 2024-25 season, particular groups stand out as a vital space for his or her success. Traditionally, the Bruins have thrived when their penalty kill is elite and their energy play is firing on all cylinders. Particular groups can usually be the distinction between profitable and shedding, and the Bruins know this higher than most. Coming into their second season with out longtime leaders Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, the Bruins should show they’ll construct a profitable identification within the post-Bergeron period—and all of it begins with how their particular groups carry out.
Consistency shall be key for the Bruins’ particular groups this season. The staff has had ample time to regulate to life with out Bergeron and Krejci. Whereas each gamers left huge holes within the lineup, the staff has had sufficient time to retool, recalibrate, and regroup. With a extra settled roster heading into the 2024-25 season, they have to give attention to execution with out trying again. Bergeron’s and Krejci’s contributions to each particular groups items had been immense, however the new-look Bruins have sufficient expertise to type their very own identification—beginning with accountability and making certain their particular groups attain their potential.
The Bruins’ Historic Success with Robust Particular Groups
Particular groups have lengthy been a defining function of the Bruins’ recreation. When Boston’s penalty kill operates at a excessive degree, the staff turns into a nightmare for opponents to interrupt down. Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Bruins ranked close to the highest of the league in penalty kill share, with good rotations and well-timed aggressiveness being instrumental to a lot of their success.
Conversely, the ability play has been much more inconsistent traditionally. At instances, the Bruins have gone by means of prolonged scoring droughts whereas up a skater, which has price them in tight video games. For Boston to be a real contender this season, the ability play must be a constant weapon, not a legal responsibility. This isn’t on account of a scarcity of expertise, both, because the Bruins have greater than sufficient firepower to provide when on the ability play.
Associated: Expectations for Bruins’ Andrew Peeke in 2024-25
The Affect of New Arrivals
The arrivals of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov ought to add contemporary power to each items. Lindholm’s two-way capabilities make him a think about all conditions, whereas Zadorov’s physicality and shot-blocking might make him an asset on the penalty kill. Each convey precious expertise to an already deep particular groups roster, giving Boston a number of short-handed choices and giving them a contemporary rotation all through the season.
Swayman’s Full-Time Starter Position
When the Bruins traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, they signaled a altering of the guard in web. Although Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman beforehand shared goaltending duties, the staff now seems intent on rolling with Swayman as their No. 1 as soon as his contract is finalized. Swayman has proven flashes of brilliance in latest seasons, however this shall be his first likelihood to show himself as a real elite netminder over a complete season. Swayman has proven that he’s greater than able to being a real elite netminder within the NHL, however he hasn’t but been given the possibility to reveal this all through a complete season; not on account of his play, however because of the existence of different gifted goaltenders round him permitting for a extra even distribution of video games.
Managing the bodily and psychological calls for of a full-time starter is a major step up, and Swayman might want to make sure the Bruins stay defensively sound, notably on the penalty kill. The success of Boston’s traditionally dominant penalty kill has at all times relied closely on goaltending, and Swayman’s calm demeanor and sharp reflexes shall be examined because the spine of the Bruins’ defensive system. Whereas he’s delivered in shared roles, the important thing now shall be sustaining consistency throughout the season—particularly in shorthanded conditions the place one mistake can flip a recreation.
