Everyone’s heard the cliché belched from hopeful lips at celebratory get-togethers and plastered on Instagram captions across social media following the ball drop on New Year’s Eve: new year, new me. Fortunately for Boston Bruins fans around the world, it appears the gold and yellow adopted this optimistic saying and made it literal. Through the first 12 games of 2022, the Bruins obtained a 10-2 record, including a massively lopsided victory over their long-time rival, the Montreal Canadiens, and wins over four divisional opponents. Most Boston diehards understand the talent this Bruins team possesses, with Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Brad Marchand creating the world-renowned “perfection line” alongside defensive staples Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk. However, following a disappointing start to the season, coach Bruce Cassidy executively decided to muddle the starting line by replacing arguably the most talented player on the roster and one of the best players in the entire NHL, Pastrnak, with Craig Smith, thus subsequently moving Pastrnak to the second line with former Conn Smyth Trophy winner Taylor Hall. Since then, even their losses have looked promising.
On Tuesday night, the Bruins faced off against one of the premier teams in professional hockey, the Colorado Avalanche, on the road. After an enormous second period that saw Jake Debrusk, Charlie Coyle, and Marchand net a goal each, the Bruins controllably led 3-1 going into the third period. The game ensued, and with just under 40-seconds to go, the Avalanche knotted the game at 3 before eventually clinching the victory in overtime. Heart-wrenching losses, such as this one, can leave a team and their fanbase demoralized, but instead, the entire city of Boston was charged with optimism. Just one month ago, Bruins fans questioned whether their team could stay afloat and avoid implosion. Now, after embracing a new mantra, Boston heroically battled one of the best teams in the NHL and just narrowly succumbed to defeat.
As the season progresses, the Bruins will continue to look to their stars to perform well. During their reawakening, the Bruins have been aided by stellar play from Marchand and Pastrnak. Marchand has netted 10 goals since the calendars flipped, including a hat trick against Montreal, while Pastrnak has scored 12 goals, assisted by a hat trick against Philadelphia. If they stay hot, watch out NHL. The Bruins are coming, and it does not seem like they plan on stopping anytime soon.
