When the Boston Bruins limped into the holiday break with their first four-game losing streak since 2019, a lack of scoring was a major reason for their struggles at the time.
Jake DeBrusk couldn’t find the back of the net. Brad Marchand wasn’t dominating games at the level he’s capable of. Pavel Zacha was in a lengthy goal drought. James van Riemsdyk’s hot start to the season had considerably cooled off. Charlie Coyle was on a six-game goal drought. The blue line was not scoring at the same rate as last season.
The break came at the perfect time for the B’s because their offense looks recharged, and the results speak for themselves. The Bruins carry a three-game win streak into Tuesday’s matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and they’ve scored at least four goals in every contest during this stretch (14 in total). The Bruins beat the Sabres 4-1 last Wednesday before earning a 5-2 win over the Devils on Saturday and a 5-3 victory against the Red Wings on Sunday.
“I think coming off a big break like that, especially with how we finished going into Christmas, there could’ve been a lot to dwell on, but everyone did a great job of resetting and really just starting fresh and making sure we’re building our game,” Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk told reporters after Saturday’s win. “I think that’s what these past two games have been. We’ve been getting better every period.”
The most encouraging part of the win streak for the Bruins so far has been the resurgence of DeBrusk, who ended his goal drought by scoring once against both the Devils and Red Wings.
DeBrusk has two goals and three assists over the last three games. He’s on a bit of a hot streak right now.
“I think it started in Buffalo (last week),” Montgomery told reporters after Saturday’s win. “You can tell (DeBrusk’s) speed is very, very noticeable. When his speed is noticeable, you know he’s on top of his game. And he’s doing a lot of little good things. That goal he scored is a goal-scorer’s goal. Not a lot of people take that puck to the far post because you have to have courage to do that. That’s a brave play by him.”
Trent Frederic posted his second two-goal game of the season on Sunday. He’s on pace for his first 20-goal season after scoring a career-high 17 times a year ago.
