Player finding his groove in his preferred position.
One of the key uncertainties heading into this season was how the Bruins would adapt without their top two centers, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Replacing players of their caliber, destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame and with jersey-raising potential, is no easy task.
However, the team has managed quite well so far. Charlie Coyle has achieved career highs in goals (25) and points (33), while Pavel Zacha has set a personal record in assists (37), with his 56 points nearly matching his career best.
Zacha, in particular, has recently hit a hot streak. He entered Tuesday’s game on a six-game point streak (2-7-9), showcasing his chemistry with linemates David Pastrnak and Danton Heinen.
The playoffs will serve as another test for Zacha, who was selected sixth overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2015. Despite the challenge of filling the shoes of Bergeron and Krejci, Zacha’s transition has been remarkably smooth.
In his debut season with the Bruins, having arrived from New Jersey for Erik Haula in the offseason, Zacha primarily played on Krejci’s wing alongside Pastrnak. However, moving back to center, he recognized the need to prioritize his defensive responsibilities, a crucial aspect in the Bruins’ defensive system.
Moreover, Zacha’s faceoff proficiency has improved, rising from 45.3% last season to 54.9% this season. He attributes this progress to video analysis and practice repetitions.
Zacha highly values the opportunity to learn from Bergeron, whom he regards as one of the league’s premier two-way players. Nonetheless, he and Coyle do not view themselves as operating in anyone’s shadow. They are focused on maximizing their own contributions to the team.
Regarding goaltending, coach Jim Montgomery has toyed with the idea of maintaining a rotation between Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, a strategy reminiscent of his championship-winning tenure at Maine. Both goaltenders, supportive teammates, are open to the rotation approach.
As for Patrick Maroon, he remains on schedule to make his Bruins debut on Saturday in Pittsburgh.