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Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron and Marchand lead Stanley Cup charge

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 19: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 19, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 3-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 19: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 19, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 3-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images /

Weaknesses

Goaltending

Rask has been a solid goalie for the Boston Bruins. However, goaltenders can be difference makers one way or the other in the NHL. Last season in the playoffs, Rask was more of a negative difference maker than a positive one. His .903 save percentage in the postseason was the lowest of his career.

During the regular season, Rask posted a .917 save percentage and had a GSAA of 6.45 during all situations, which put him in the top 25 among goalies with at least 2,000 minutes played. All of this points to him being an above-average goalie, but not a great one.

Last season, the Bruins had Khudobin to serve as his backup. Halak is, on paper, a pretty significant downgrade. Part of his 2017-18 struggles was likely due to the New York Islanders defense, so maybe playing behind the Bruins defense will help his numbers. But if it doesn’t, the Bruins don’t have many internal options.

Also. Bruins All-Time Dream Team. light

Second Line

On paper, the Boston Bruins are going to have a stellar first line (even if Pastrnak isn’t a part of it), an at worst above average third line, and a solid fourth line. However, their second line is a bit of a question mark. And if you look at the recent Stanley Cup champions, each of them has had at least two really good scoring lines. The Bruins only have one.

Perhaps that explains their pursuit of Tavares. After losing Riley Nash, the Bruins will turn to David Krejci to be their second-line center. Injuries aside, he’s a pretty solid player (44 points in 64 games). But the Bruins need their second line to be great to become true Stanley Cup champions.

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