Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) celebrates his goal with defenseman Andrew Peeke (52) and center John Beecher (19) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

At 2-2-0, getting a read on the Bruins prior to their flight out to Colorado had been a challenging endeavor beyond the normal “it’s absolutely criminally early in the season” caveat.

Yeah, their defensive-zone coverage had its lapses, they were taking too many penalties, and their middle six had been largely AWOL. But they were still 2-2-0 and both losses had come against the defending Stanley Cup champions, so how badly could one truly freak out?

Well, after Wednesday’s game in Colorado, the answer should be not that badly, as the Bruins turned in a strong showing against the Avalanche and put forth perhaps their most complete effort in a 5-3 win.

  • Beginning with a big-time save from Joonas Korpisalo on a Miles Wood breakaway opportunity to begin their night, the Bruins weathered brief storms from the struggling Avalanche, but ultimately got the goals they needed (and at the exact time they needed them too). And the goals came with a direct line to the net, too, with Boston finding ways to get their defensemen activated without completely selling out for ugly changes the other way.

     

    Here are the 98.5 The Sports Hub (dot com) 3 Stars from a win in Denver

  • Third Star: Cale Makar

    DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 16: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins fights for the puck against Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at Ball Arena on October 16, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

    DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 16: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins fights for the puck against Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at Ball Arena on October 16, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

    The Avalanche can cite their injuries and a plethora of new faces in their lineup, but it’s been downright weird to see them look this human through the first week and change of the new season. But Wednesday in Denver came with yet another strong outing from Colorado’s Cale Makar, as Makar factored in on all three Colorado tallies (all on the man advantage) with one goal and two helpers by the night’s end.

    Makar is now up to two goals and nine points in nine career games against the Bruins.

  • Second Star: Hampus Lindholm

    Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) celebrates his goal with teammates in the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

    Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) celebrates his goal with teammates in the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

    After a 2023-24 season spent in more of a defensive role than anything else, Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm has returned to the offensive zone with a bit more regularity, and the results are starting to show up.

    On the board with a goal and an assist, Lindholm was constantly pushing play the other way, and helping the Bruins pin the Avalanche in their own zone with strong reads and quick decisions. That’s always been when Lindholm is at his best, especially the latter, as Lindholm’s timing in the offensive zone and ability to keep the play moving at a pace that wears down the opposition has always been an underrated weapon in his arsenal.

    Spoked Z on X (formerly Twitter): "And 13 seconds after Pastrnak's goal, Hampus Lindholm makes it 4-1. Another point for the Bruins fourth line pic.twitter.com/CkWgOvs00w / X"

    And 13 seconds after Pastrnak's goal, Hampus Lindholm makes it 4-1. Another point for the Bruins fourth line pic.twitter.com/CkWgOvs00w

    Here’s a fun stat for you: Through five games, Lindholm has attempted 31 shots. That’s the second-most on the Bruins (only David Pastrnak has attempted more, with 40). It’s also the 16th-most in the entire NHL through the first week-plus of the year, and is the fifth-most among defensemen. The only defenders with more shot attempts this year: Rasmus Dahlin, Roman Josi, Evan Bouchard, and Dougie Hamilton. That’s good company to find yourself in if you’re a blue liner looking to create some offense.

  • First Star: Cole Koepke

    Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) checks Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) in the third period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

    Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) checks Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) in the third period at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

    If there’s one thing that stands out about Boston’s current fourth line, which just continues to absolutely dominate the opposition, it’s that they find ways to absolute stuff the hell out of their minutes. Give them six minutes and they’re gonna make the statistician’s mind explode with what they’re forced to track. Give them 12 minutes and they’re gonna do the same, but also get the scorekeeper in on the madness when the find the back of the net.

    That line’s right winger, Cole Koepke, managed to do both on Wednesday night, as he was on the board for Boston’s first goal of the evening and finished with four shots, seven hits, and a plus-3 rating in 14 minutes of action.

    Boston Bruins on X (formerly Twitter): "Cole Koepke on what has clicked with the #NHLBruins: "The style of play and the way the coaching staff and the team has welcomed me in and helped me get up to speed and allowed me to play with confidence and play to my strengths...I've loved every minute of it." pic.twitter.com/eVDdtEsd4N / X"

    Cole Koepke on what has clicked with the #NHLBruins: "The style of play and the way the coaching staff and the team has welcomed me in and helped me get up to speed and allowed me to play with confidence and play to my strengths...I've loved every minute of it."

    The way this line moves the puck, especially below the dots, has been a factor in every Bruins game this year, and Koepke’s smarts and refusal to ever get caught standing still sticks out in that regard.

     

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