The Boston Bruins have made the playoffs exciting and unpredictable. After a convincing win in Game 1 and a poor performance in Game 2, they came back with a vengeance in Game 3, proving they can win even without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.
The Bruins roster has demonstrated they’re ready for the postseason. In the first three games, thirteen players have scored at least one point, showing the team’s depth, especially in Game 3. Three players have stood out in the series against the Florida Panthers, despite the team effort.
Tyler Bertuzzi
Tyler Bertuzzi has been yearning for postseason play. He has not played playoff hockey since joining the Detroit Red Wings full-time in 2018-19. He thrives under pressure and in a more physical game, as shown by his postseason success as a junior.
He has four points (one goal) in three games, tied for the team lead. He draws attention whenever he skates. David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha play well together. The offense continues to struggle with his power play time.
He took Nick Cousins’ stick to the Bruins’ bench in the third period, following Brad Marchand’s lead. Marchand called the technique “greaseball.”
Dmitry Orlov
Many praised Don Sweeney’s trade deadline purchases of Dmitry Orlov, Garnet Hathaway, and Bertuzzi. His signings have made an early postseason impact, maintaining his winning grades.
With four assists, Orlov and Bertuzzi lead the squad in postseason points. He was one of the few defenseman who showed up in the catastrophic Game 2 and showed that he’s not afraid to play tough, which is essential this time of year. In Game 3, his two outlet passes led to goals.
Orlov has played well without numbers or points. He has looked good in the first three games. He’s been ready since his first Black and Gold game. His recent play shows why the team valued him at the deadline.
Charlie Coyle
Charlie Coyle makes this list only for his Game 3 performance. With Bergeron and Krejci out, someone had to step up. Coyle took over the game, not just stepping up. He earned the praise for being the best player on the ice on Friday night.
He has one goal in the series, but he had five strong shots in Game 3. In Game 1, he had some solid shots on goal despite not scoring. He struggled in Game 2, but he rebounded in Game 3. Even though he only scored one point, it was one of his top three on-ice efforts.
Bruins Depth Shows
Despite a comparable roster, the Bruins are different this season due to their depth. The only major squad changes before the season were Krejci’s return and Zacha’s addition. They solidified the forward lines and put players in positions to succeed, and when needed, they stepped up.
Consider Coyle. Despite not being a starting center, he delivered a monster performance. Guys couldn’t do that before. Forwards struggled to score without Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Marchand.
The top guys have been wonderful so far. Marchand, Pastrnak, DeBrusk, and McAvoy have shown why they are key players. They haven’t stood out like Bertuzzi and Orlov have all series or Coyle’s Game 3. Game 4 will reveal whether the same players will shine again or if someone else will shine.