Jesper Boqvist played the role of overtime hero in the Boston Bruins’ win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, earning a late-season moment in the spotlight.
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With just four games left in the regular season, it’s worth taking a closer look at Boqvist and what kind of impact he could make in the playoffs.
Though Boqvist found himself in Providence for the early months of the season, he has carved out a regular role for himself in the lineup since early January. He has grown to impact games, remain with Boston and, recently, even climb the depth chart.
Here are some of the reasons Boqvist could prove to be an asset for Boston in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs:
1) His offensive skill
The Bruins have seen flashes of the skillset Boqvist possesses, but what does that mean for them as they prepare for a postseason run in which the performance of their bottom-six forwards will be crucial?
Getting scoring from your bottom six in any playoff run is key, and you could argue that Boqvist is the player with the most offensive talent in that group, with the ability to make plays at a high speed and finish with shots like Saturday’s winner.
“Absolute snipe,” Bruins goalie and fellow Swede Linus Ullmark said of Boqvist’s game-winning goal on Saturday.
“The guy is playing with a lot of confidence,” Ullmark said. “He’s not getting the recognition that he deserves a lot of times, but he's a heck of a hockey player and he shows it every single practice, every single game. He works his buttocks off every single shift so I'm very happy for him.”
“We need everybody, not just two or three guys, we need everybody on their A-game,” Ullmark said when asked about the importance of Boqvist’s role this upcoming postseason.
2) Filling a key role
With Boston’s tight cap situation and the departures of many key veterans during the offseason, the Bruins have called upon new faces, both prospects and offseason acquisitions, to play a role this season and make a push for the Stanley Cup -- especially at center.
Throughout the season, the bottom six has been plagued with injuries and inconsistent play. Matt Poitras went down with a season-ending shoulder injury and Johnny Beecher was sent to Providence to hone his game. That, along with Boqvist’s own solid play, allowed him to fill a key role down the middle for the Bruins.
What makes Boqvist a valuable member of the Bruins’ center group is his solid, responsible defensive game and ability to drive the offense at a quick pace.
Those two-way contributions are reflected in the fact that the Bruins are outscoring opponents 19-9 during his 5-on-5 shifts this season. That 67.9% goals-for share is the best mark on the team among players who have played at least 15 games this year.
With the production of Justin Brazeau potentially gone from the lineup and questions about the readiness of Pat Maroon to impact goal-scoring after his back injury, Boqvist is someone who could provide much-needed production lower in the lineup this playoff season.
3) His versatility
One important attribute Boqvist brings is his versatility as both a center and a winger who has complemented the Bruins’ depth players as well as top talent when called upon.
He has often found himself centering the fourth line, but was elevated Saturday with Jake DeBrusk and Trent Frederic to unite a fast-paced third-line trio. He has even been elevated in small doses to play with top-end talent like David Pastrnak.
Though his time on ice averages just under 11 minutes per game, Boqvist has seen himself inserted into more high-stakes situations, including being called upon in overtime and shootouts as the Bruins recognized his elite shooting ability and knack for capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
It’s become clear that both his teammates and coaches have gained confidence in the player Boqvist has bloomed into for Boston in the last few months.
“He works incredibly hard and he's had a great story this year, from up and then down, and working hard down there, and making the most of his opportunities,” Charlie McAvoy said about Boqvist after Saturday’s game.
“It's awesome. He's an easy guy to root for, he's a great teammate, and I couldn't be happier for him,” McAvoy said.
The bottom line is, Boqvist does what the Bruins need him to do on a consistent basis and he’s remained in the lineup for a reason: he can provide Boston with pace, offense and energy.