The Boston Bruins continue to truly utilize the talents of their top three forwards deep into the month of January. The first line of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron is currently one of the most dangerous lines on the ice. While Boston keeps up their 16-game point streak, the top line has been killing their opponents. In their last six games, the Boston Bruins have scored 27 goals. Of these 27, 18 of them have the last name of at least one of these three veterans
Boston Bruins First Line Continues to Shine
Marchand Leads the Team
Brad Marchand currently leads the team with 20 goals this season, just over half the total he scored last year. While he holds the team’s top scoring title, he also tops the team in assists with 28, making him the most important offensive player on the team so far this season. The star forward continues to pester opponents on the score sheet by slipping by defenders and getting open to receive an incoming pass.
Bergeron Remains Reliable
Patrice Bergeron has made a career of being a clutch player for Boston. The veteran has potted 19 goals and has 20 assists in his 14th season and is third on the team in points. Although he is a dangerous scorer, number 37 makes his living on letting other players take the spotlight. He’s recorded a total of 432 career assists – seventh all-time amongst Boston Bruins players.
The alternate captain does like lighting the red light though. In the most recent matchup against the Islanders, he recorded his second hat trick of the season in pursuit to a 5-2 win.
Pastrnak In The Middle
David Pastrnak is in his fourth season in the league and has 20 goals and 24 assists, which puts him in second in points on the team. The hidden talent that Pastrnak has is his bridging of the gap between the young players and the seasoned veterans. He displays excitement and speed of the younger team members while providing for his team on the scoresheet and making mentally sharp plays like a player who has been in the league for a while.
In the latest game against the Canadiens, Pastrnak took the puck from behind the Habs goal line and rifled one in off the skate of Carey Price, who he caught cheating off his angle. The goal showcased his speed to separate from the defender as well as his awareness of the goaltender’s positioning to tie the game at 1-1.
Cassidy Letting The Strongest Lead The Team
The trio has played a major role in getting the Bruins into the spot they currently sit in. Just three points away from first place, they’ve brought back the powerful gameplay that went dormant since their Cup run in 2013. Under Bruce Cassidy, the Bruins are 44-18-9 since he took over in the middle of last season in place of Claude Julien. While he has been incorporating more of the young talent, Cassidy has made the Bergeron-Pastrnak-Marchand line a staple of the Bruins game plan.
What’s Next For Boston
The Bruins will face the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7:00 pm in Boston. The last time they beat an opponent that was sitting in a playoff spot came against the Winnipeg Jets 13 games ago. Amidst their point streak, the only other teams that they faced that now sit in a playoff spot were the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins – both games they lost in overtime.
The top line for the Bruins will need to continue performing as they have been in order to pull off a win against a team sitting in second in the strong Metropolitan Division.
Main Photo: BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 14: Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes the save on Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals on December 14, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Capitals defeated the Bruins 5-3. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
