Bruins' offseason additions play large function in first win of season

Bruins’ offseason additions play huge role in first win of season initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Bruins basic supervisor Don Sweeney was busy on Day 1 of NHL free agency again in July. He signed eight gamers and spent greater than $80 million (in complete contract worth) to enhance his roster for the 2024-25 NHL season. He additionally acquired two gamers in the Linus Ullmark trade in June.

Lots of these new gamers performed a number one function when the Bruins earned their first two factors of the brand new marketing campaign — a 6-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night time within the residence opener at TD Backyard. In actual fact, 4 of Boston’s six objectives got here from gamers acquired within the offseason.

The Bruins’ marquee addition of the summer time was top-six heart Elias Lindholm, who signed a seven-year, $54.25 million contract. Lindholm is a wonderful two-way participant who drives offense at 5-on-5 and in addition contributes to each particular groups items.

He has executed all of that and extra by means of two video games together with his new staff. After selecting up an help within the season opener against the Panthers on Tuesday, Lindholm tallied three factors (one purpose, two assists) within the victory over Montreal.

The Bruins obtained on the board at 11:04 of the primary interval when Charlie McAvoy scored on the ability play. Lindholm earned an help on the purpose. He scored a purpose of his personal later within the interval, due to just a little assist from one other newcomer — defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Zadorov handed to Lindholm, who tipped the puck previous Canadiens goalie Caydin Primeau to offer Boston a 3-2 lead with 1:37 left within the interval.

Lindholm has been excellent defensively, too. He has performed 7:51 on the penalty kill in two video games, and the Bruins have not allowed a purpose in these minutes.

“I feel the underappreciated a part of his sport is the little issues like profitable battles, the issues he does to offer his teammates time and house,” Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery mentioned of Lindholm. “Within the bumper you’ll be able to inform he has nice poise and spatial consciousness on the ability play.”

Zadorov had two assists within the first interval. The Bruins signed him to a six-year, $30 million contract in free agency. The expectation is that Zadorov will convey just a little extra toughness and measurement (he is 6-foot-6, 240 kilos) to the blue line, in addition to some offense. He is met these expectations to date with two assists and eight hits by means of two video games.

One of many gamers the Bruins acquired within the Ullmark commerce was bottom-six heart Mark Kastelic. He scored Boston’s second purpose of the primary interval and the final purpose of the sport within the third interval. His second purpose was an necessary tally as a result of the Canadiens had trimmed the Bruins’ result in 5-4 simply 16 seconds earlier.

Kastelic is not more likely to gentle up the stat sheet offensively, however he hits, blocks pictures and will get into plenty of scrums. He will be a fan favourite within the close to future.

One of many advantages to including Lindholm and Kastelic at heart over the offseason was their faceoff means. Each of them received over 54 p.c of their faceoffs final season. They mixed to win 11 of their 19 attracts mixed towards the Canadiens. The Bruins ranked twenty first within the league in faceoff win share final season. They need to rank a lot greater in 2024-25 with Lindholm and Kastelic taking plenty of attracts.

Cole Koepke obtained in on the scoring Thursday, too. He discovered the again of the online late within the second interval for his first purpose since Nov. 13, 2022. Koepke, who signed as a free agent in July after two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, tallied three factors (one purpose, two assists) on Thursday, matching his scoring complete from the final two seasons mixed.

Koepke performs with velocity and tenacity. He goes onerous to the online and fights to win battles within the robust areas of the ice. He was rewarded for that effort on his purpose.

Here is a recap of the Bruins newcomers’ efficiency towards the Canadiens:

• Elias Lindholm: One purpose, two assists, one shot, one hit, 6-of-13 on faceoffs

• Mark Kastelic: Two objectives, three pictures, two hits, 5-of-6 on faceoffs

• Cole Koepke: One purpose, two assists, two pictures, one hit

• Nikita Zadorov: Two assists, one hit

It’ll take a while for these newly acquired gamers to completely study the Bruins’ system and to determine chemistry with their teammates. The lineup shouldn’t be set in stone this early.

However the early returns have been fairly good, a minimum of offensively. The Bruins have scored 10 objectives in two video games, and the ability play — which was terrible over the ultimate 30 video games of final season and within the second spherical of the playoffs — has scored a purpose in every of the primary two matchups this 12 months.

This Bruins roster has numerous potential. Now it is as much as Montgomery to investigate what he is seen to date and make corrections to enhance the staff’s protection.

“We need to win much more battles. I assumed we received extra battles in all three zones,” Montgomery mentioned of his staff’s efficiency Thursday. “And taking part in sooner, with that heaviness.

“I feel we are able to see the sort of staff we could be — we gotta change into a greater checking staff and perceive sport administration just a little higher. I did not suppose our sport administration was exemplary within the third interval. But it surely’s onerous to win on this league. We obtained our first win, now we hold constructing.”