Since being united as a line on Feb. 10, the Bruins’ third line of Trent Frederic, Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith has become a driving force of offense, energy and physicality. It has even begun to overshadow the elite talent on the Bruins’ top line.
Though finding an effective combination on the third line has been a big positive for the Bruins over the last 15 games, it has come alongside a decline in scoring from Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
Over the last month, there has been a particularly glaring drop-off in the offensive production of Marchand, who has managed only three goals in the last 18 games, and none in the last seven.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy addressed Marchand’s struggle to score after Boston’s 3-2 win over Arizona on Saturday, in which Marchand was robbed in the third period on a scoring chance that looked to be a sure thing.
“Right now Marchand’s having a tough time finishing,” Cassidy said. “Marsh and Bergy are getting good looks but pucks aren't going in. Even on the power play, Bergy had a few in front, and some other looks.”
But Cassidy isn't worried about the pair quite yet.
“For them they just have to stick with it,” he said. “It will come. They're too good. Hopefully they don’t get away from what they do well.”
Marchand’s tough stretch started in mid-January and has stretched into mid-March. It has bookended his six-game suspension that took place in February.
DeBrusk has been the only player on the first line to experience a boost in production from the new combination that was formed after the conclusion of that suspension on Feb. 24.
In the nine games since they were put together, DeBrusk has notched six goals (a 0.67 goals-per-game average), compared to his nine goals in the 45 games before that (a 0.20 goals-per-game average).
DeBrusk has had six of the line’s 11 goals. By contrast, Marchand has contributed two goals and Bergeron has added three goals in that time.
But, that doesn't mean Bergeron and Marchand have been terrible. Their goal numbers have looked worse than the performance the top line has put out on the ice. The Bruins have outshot opponents 84-40 at 5-on-5 with the Marchand-Bergeron-DeBrusk trio on the ice and have created 22 high-danger chances vs. seven high-danger chances allowed.
Marchand’s suspension, new line combination and a little bad luck (he has zero goals on his last 23 shots on goal) have all been factors in what has been a difficult stretch of the season on the scoresheet.
Related
