Nothing however positives over final 10 video games for Bruins

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re again in your ft almost three years later, right here’s a better examination at what’s gone on these final 10 video games, a surge that has the Bruins (28-19-2) in cheap place to snag a playoff spot as they method Game 50 on Tuesday evening in Dallas.

During the 8-1-1 run, they’ve:

⋅ Outscored opponents, 41-20, together with a 10-2 mop job of the Rangers that days later had normal supervisor Chris Drury place the “Gone Fishin’” signal over his beaten-down Blueshirts. Drury is reportedly listening to all commerce provides, together with for star ahead Artemi Panarin.

⋅ Rarely trailed. An exception got here Saturday evening in Chicago, the place the Blackhawks pinned up an early 2-0 lead earlier than a Bruins five-spot that included a season-high three targets from the protection — Mason Lohrei with a pair and one from Charlie McAvoy.

NHL groups this season when falling in an 0-2 gap are 64-272-39. It was a very spectacular rally for the Bruins, who’ve but to win (0-16-0) when trailing by any margin on the 40-minute mark. They took a 3-2 lead into the third at Chicago.

In the final 10 video games, the Bruins have led for 344:30. Opponents led for 48:48. Easy nights are uncommon in Gary Bettman’s Parity 32, however they’re far simpler for groups that aren’t chasing to get even or transfer forward on the scoreboard.

⋅ Of these 41 targets, 17 (some 41 %) have been potted by guys who weren’t within the group previous to final March’s commerce deadline.

Exhibit A: Marat Khusnutdinov, who has topped the membership’s purpose chart with six. Rookie Fraser Minten has 5. Both have been obtained in separate deadline offers by GM Don Sweeney final March.

Four different targets have been delivered by Viktor “Little Weasel” Arvidsson, picked up in commerce from the Oilers within the offseason.

⋅ Enjoyed an offensive awakening of the defensive corps. In the season’s first quarter-plus, defensemen not often landed a shot on web. They have been on tempo to attain fewer targets than any bunch of Bruins defensemen for the reason that darkish, darkish pre-Orr days of the early Sixties.

It was getting sort of private again there for the primary two months.

“For sure, for sure,” a beaming Lohrei agreed after potting his pair, together with the 2-2 equalizer, in Chicago. “Obviously, we’re out there, we’re in the offensive zone and we have good shots. When you’re not contributing as a group, it’s definitely something, you want to help. It’s nice everyone’s getting in on the action.”

McAvoy started the comeback on the United Center when he dashed in from his level spot, into the low slot, and wristed in a tape-to-tape dish from Elias Lindholm. An aggressive transfer for McAvoy, who usually has been a reluctant shooter.

“I’m trying to jump in more like that,” famous an enthusiastic McAvoy. “We’re encouraged to do it.”

Bruins defensemen scored solely six targets throughout the primary 28 video games. In the final 20, they potted 14 — a welcome reunion for a again finish that had been nothing however a lifeless finish.

Lohrei leads the brigade with a career-high six targets this season. He additionally leads the membership in commerce rumors, the newest of which had him on his option to Calgary for veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson, 29, a legit top-four contributor (with a coveted proper shot). In the top, per a number of studies, Andersson on Sunday was dealt to the Golden Knights, the NHL model of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police — they at all times get their man.

If Lohrei goes, by no means in Bruins historical past will a defenseman have been dealt out at a time his fingers have been so scorching.

He has a really lengthy option to go in creating his defensive sport, and, properly, protection stays a defenseman’s area. He is, in some methods, an outsized, elongated model of Greg “Hawgie Hockey” Hawgood. Maybe he gained’t grasp the soiled a part of the job, the muck and grind of checking and board work, but when he’s keen to take it on, it’s simpler to study that than tips on how to wire in photographs from 40-60 ft.

Don’t doubt that Sweeney the ex-defenseman with 52 regular-season targets in 1,115 video games, is conscious of what it takes to attain from again there. Lohrei has 15 targets in 162 profession video games. Andersson: 57 in 584s.

On Sunday afternoon, the Bruins once more promoted defenseman Billy Sweezey from AHL Providence, saying the transfer was as a result of Henri Jokiharju wanted break day for a “family matter.” Veteran Hampus Lindholm returned to the lineup in Chicago.

It’s an evolving state of affairs, and proper now an encouraging pattern.

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Kevin Paul Dupont could be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com.