Stat of the Week

by Michael Taylor on Jan 5, 2012 12:01 PM EST in Stat Tracker

Once upon a time, the Boston Bruins were looked at as a team that was carried by great goaltending and a stingy defensive system deployed by Claude Julien. When people talked about the personnel at forward, it wouldn't be a surprise to hear things like "no true #1 center" or "they have two 2nd lines". This season, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, you could make a decent argument that based on Even Strength points per 60 minutes, the Bruins have had the BEST forward line in hockey this season.

Through 36 games, the Bruins top line has 3 players in the top 12 in ES P/60 (minimum 20 GP). Brad Marchand leads the league in this category at 3.34, Tyler Seguin is 8th at 3.04, and Patrice Bergeron is 12th at 2.83. That's pretty good work for what in the past has been looked at as a really good second line. The Bruins forwards also have the depth to go with that elite line.Rich Peverley is 17th (2.77), Milan Lucic is 42nd (2.47), Chris Kelly is 55th (2.35), Krejci is 67th (2.20), and Nathan Horton is 100th (2.04). Benoit Pouliot is the only Bruin forward in the top 9 who is outside of the top 100 (204th at 1.48), but two of the Bruins 4th liners (Paille and Cambell) can be found in the top 150. That just happens to be higher than Ilya Kovalchuk, Bobby Ryan, Danny Briere, and Mike Richards.

So while the Bruins deservedly get credit for having two outstanding goaltenders, and quite possibly the best defenseman on the planet in Zdeno Chara, they've very quietly assembled a group of forwards that is very effective at both carrying out defensive responsibilities and contributing to the scoresheet at even strength. That all adds up to by far the best goal differential in the league and a real serious shot as repeating as Stanley Cup Champions.

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I think a lot of people still have the impression that the Bruins can’t score. I remember last season during the SCF one of the more common criticisms from Canucks fans was that our forwards can’t score and would struggle against their defense.

I think it is safe to say the Bruins have struggled on the PP and to some degree still do, but I am fine with the Bruins scoring a lot of goals 5 on 5. In most games the majority of playing time is 5 on 5.

by TCL40 on Jan 5, 2012 1:39 PM EST reply actions

The Bruins also had the third-highest 5v5 time on ice last year in the league. 48.5/60 minutes and a league-leading +0.8 goals/60.

Now they’re at 17th in 5v5 ATOI with 47.0 but they’re +1.6/60. Yeah that might go down but until then…

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 5, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

PP is actually top 10 this year. I think the biggest issue is the way Julien divides up his ice time. Patrice Bergeron leads all Bruin forwards with 18:32 TOI/G, which is 80th in the league amongst forwards. It also includes regular short handed time on ice. It’s tough to compile the raw point/goal totals that make people jump up and say that you’re a dominant forward if you’re playing less minutes ES+PP than most other top lines.

by Michael Taylor on Jan 5, 2012 2:08 PM EST reply actions

I don’t see that as a problem though… helps keep costs down as well if you think about it.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 5, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree, it’s not problem at all. It’s just something that alters how the team is perceived if you aren’t watching them very closely. If anything, it’s an advantage, and probably as good of an explanation as any as to why the Bruins tend to light other teams up in the 3rd period.

by Michael Taylor on Jan 5, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts exactly. Should also help them maintain their success over the more strenuous second half (was going to say maintain their pace but not sure that is feasible)

Couldn’t tell if you were being critical of his ice time division or not… hoped you weren’t though.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 5, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions