After a great rivalry win in Montreal the Bruins have claimed first place in the Atlantic
division, a seed that seemed impossible to attain at this point in the season with the roster
make up they had prior to the season. The key has been big contributions from key players.
Obviously Pastrnak, McAvoy and Swayman have collectively been very good, and they
have needed to be for this team. However, Hampus Lindholm, Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha,
Nikita Zadorov and even Andrew Peeke, have been the true reasons behind the success so
far this season. Each of these players has far surpassed the preseason expectations which
has directly led to the success on the ice. I felt Lindholm’s injury last season was a huge
reason for the Bruins’ struggles last year, and a point that went unrealized by many. He
gives the Bruins D-core a true #2 behind McAvoy, and a second puck mover which
generates higher efficiency on breakouts and through the neutral zone. Geekie has
continued to impress with his ability to score from all over the ice and in all situations.

Zacha currently the most underrated performer of the year playing both ends of the ice
exceptionally well. Zadorov I mentioned before as being the true physical leader of this
team, dragging them into the fight on most nights providing a spark, while also skating and
defending well. Lastly, I think Andrew Peeke has been excellent as well. What looked like a
bleak top 4 D-core to begin the season has turned into a real solid back end and Peeke
have been that fourth member to solidify a role in that top 4.

With all of the positivity surrounding the Bruins great first 1⁄4 of the season, injuries are
mounting. McAvoy’s nasty injury (puck to the face) and Arvidsson’s lower body injury join
the growing list of injuries for the Bs. Elias Lindholm is still on IR considered week to week
with a lower body injury, Casey Mittlestadt is week to week with an upper body injury, and
John Beecher is day to day. The good news is the Providence Bruins have had a great start
to the year with several players playing well, so there are options to bring up, but the
obvious concern is the timeline of these injuries as we are now missing four key players
including our #1 center and defenseman. Hoping for speedy recoveries so the team can
carry the momentum they have built so far this season.

Next game is 11/17 against the Carolina Hurricanes at the TD Garden.