Flavin Media

As we trudge through the December days of the regular season, it’s clear the Bruins will be in a dogfight for any and all playoff spots come April. With the tightly packed standings in the East, it wouldn’t be shocking for the Bruins to make the April-and-beyond bracket and face Florida in the first round. So, let’s check in on how they might compete in that scenario.

The defensemen are clearing out opponents:
The heavy defenders on the roster should, in theory, be able to go toe-to-toe with a powerful offense like Florida’s. The reason we haven’t seen that in recent memory is that the defensemen are allowing too much to happen in front of the goalie—giving Florida’s best players the chance to kickstart their offense.

The forward lines are blatantly simple:
With Florida’s straightforward and physical style, you can replicate that approach with the roster you have. Under Jim Montgomery, the Bruins played Florida with a “use-your-skill” mindset, but our heavier players should thrive playing Florida’s style.

The power play is prioritizing pace:
If our power play is even halfway better come playoff time, fans should be confident these series will look different. The Bruins have players who’ve been part of consistent power plays before, thanks to their skill. But the key is to stop entering the opponent’s zone slowly and making passing decisions at a snail’s pace.

These three components should be underlined and highlighted for the Bruins’ roster throughout the second half of the season. As fans, let’s keep an eye out for these traits as we watch the season unfold.