The Boston Bruins erased a two-goal deficit to come from behind to beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Friday.
The Bruins endured a rough opening 20 minutes, struggling to establish any momentum and spending extended stretches in their own zone. It was their worst period of the season so far, and if not for Michael DiPietro between the pipes, Boston could have entered the second period facing a much steeper deficit than the 2-0 score line suggested.
While DiPietro is not one of the younger players the Bruins are integrating into the lineup at 27 years of age, this marks his first full NHL season. The 2017 draft pick recently earned the first victory of his NHL career, and through his first two appearances, he has provided exactly what Boston has needed from him: steady, reliable goaltending.
Special teams played a pivotal role in the Bruins’ victory, alongside the strong performance of DiPietro. Boston’s penalty kill was flawless, shutting down all five power-play opportunities for one of the league’s most dangerous man-advantage units. At the other end, the Bruins capitalized on three of their four power-play chances, a decisive factor in securing the win.
But I want to continue to look at the young players.
Marat Khusnutdinov delivered another impactful performance, even if much of his work will not be reflected on the scoresheet. The energetic forward excelled in the details of the game, consistently pressuring opponents, winning races to loose pucks, and providing a spark whenever he was on the ice. His relentless motor and infectious energy were evident throughout the night, making him one of Boston’s most effective players despite the lack of offensive production.
Frederic Brunet continues to show steady progress at both ends of the ice, and his efforts were rewarded with the first NHL goal of his career. The power-play tally helped spark Boston’s comeback and provided an important boost at a critical moment in the game. While it may not have been a highlight-reel finish, Brunet made the right play by getting the puck to the net, and the result speaks for itself. As he continues to develop, building confidence will be a key factor in unlocking the next stage of his growth and maximizing his potential at the NHL level.
The chemistry between James Hagens and Matthew Poitras continues to stand out, and there is a strong case to be made for giving the young duo an extended opportunity together. After a quiet first period, much like the rest of the Bruins lineup, both players found their rhythm as the game progressed. Their connection was on full display in the closing moments, combining on a perfectly executed give-and-go from their own blue line in to put the game away for Boston. Poitras continues to separate himself from the pack, leading the team in both goals and points per 60 minutes by a significant margin.
Offensively, Fraser Minten had a relatively quiet night, but his impact was felt in other areas of the game. The young forward once again delivered the reliable, detail-oriented defensive performance that has become a hallmark of his play. While offensive production often draws the most attention, Minten’s ability to manage play away from the puck, support his teammates defensively, and make smart decisions in all three zones remains an important part of his value. Those contributions may not always be reflected on the scoresheet, but they should not be overlooked.
Finally, while Mason Lohrei may not fit the traditional definition of a young player, he is still early in his development as an NHL defenseman, and there were plenty of encouraging signs in his game. Turnovers remain a point of frustration for some fans, but the overall trend is moving in the right direction. Lohrei has significantly reduced those mistakes compared to a year ago, and his growth was evident once again in this contest. Even during a difficult first period for the Bruins, he consistently found ways to move the puck efficiently and transition play out of the defensive zone. Much like Brunet, Lohrei’s continued development will be closely tied to his confidence. As that confidence grows, so too should his ability to maximize the considerable tools he brings to the blue line.
It’s only eight games in, but this early the kids are looking very promising.
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Excellent recap of a great game for the B’s Dom!
Thank you Tony. Long way to go, but the kids are looking like they belong. Let’s hope they don’t hit the proverbial wall.
Thanks for the great content, as always, Dom!
You’ve written a couple times about perceived issues with the B’s ability to develop young players. Does the kids’ current success cause you to reconsider the organization’s capabilities in that area?
Yes and no. When it comes to Poitras and Brunet, I have long written about them – back to their draft years – that their work ethic and willingness to improve was much higher than any of the prospects in their system.
With both of them, they were given the opportunities to play to their strengths and we can’t say that about every prospects in the last 10 to 15 years
Obviously that falls on the players as well. But the development staff needs to do a better job of getting the best of themselves out of them.
If not and they don’t fit your plans, you need to move on from them sooner rather than later.