Jessica Belmosto

The Boston Bruins are currently sitting 4th in the Atlantic Division; four points behind newfound rival, Toronto Maple Leafs. High expectations have left some fans in disarray after the first three months of the season. In reality, this is what Bruins fans should have expected.

Just like last year, goalie controversy was a topic of discussion. Before taking a leave of absence, Tuukka Rask was struggling. It wasn’t anything like people were making it out to be. Fans who watch the game consistently knew that this was being blown out of proportion. Just like the year prior, a backup goaltender took the net to pick up where Rask was lacking. Jaro Halak proved that he was the brick wall he claimed to be. The problem was that Tuukka couldn’t shake the dust off if he was riding the pine. After speculation and invasion of privacy, Rask addressed his leave of absence. “At the end of the day, I realized that a hockey career is a very short career but your life is much longer than that. I appreciate that I got the privacy and time I needed. I’m ready to move on now.” Rask did just that. He won in Montreal, where he “can’t win.” after shortly returning. The Bruins were winning games based on their goaltending. When your offense is asleep, the goalies come out to play.

It was the first line who carried the Bruins’ offense at the start of the season. In the first two months of the season, the 63, 37, 88 line had 35 goals. It was frustrating to watch the offense struggle like that. People were calling for the lines to be shaken up in order to increase production. Bruce Cassidy was sticking to his guns. The second line was eventually awoken and goals were flowing. Scituate native, Ryan Donato was sent down to AHL affiliate, Providence Bruins. In ten games, Donato racked up 9 points. ( 5 G, 4 A ) The time down there seemed to do the rookie some good. The progress is obvious. He looks more confident in his skating along with playmaking. Anders Bjork was sent down soon after Donato’s return. This was a rather obvious move considering his overall performance. Bjork has played seven games and racked up a goal and eight assists. If all goes well, Bjork could be called up in time to play in the Winter Classic at his Alma Mater.

Tuesday the Bruins announced the following transactions: Gemel Smith was placed on waivers and Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon was assigned to Providence.

If it seemed like injuries hit the Bruins all at once it’s because they did. The defense core was hit hard when Kevan Miller ( hand ) and McAvoy ( concussion ) went down. The pair is an intricate part of the Bruins defense. Soon after Miller’s initial return, he took a throat to the puck. He was diagnosed with cartilage damage to his larynx. He is expected to be out until January. Zdeno Chara went down on November 14th against the Colorado Avalanche with an MCL tear. People were concerned but there was an obvious concern due to his age. Would he heal the same way someone ten years younger would? It’s been about a month and Chara has been skating and hitting the ice. He is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, December 19th. John Moore was suffering from a lower-body injury while Carlo battled an upper-body injury. As if these injuries weren’t enough, Patrice Bergeron suffered an upper body ( rib/sternoclavicular ) injury. There were rumors swirling about a possible season-ending injury. Those rumors were quickly debunked when the source was proven to be clickbaity and Bergeron was seen skating at Warrior Ice. He’s believed to return to practice on Wednesday alongside Captain Zdeno Chara. Bruins sophomore winger, Jake Debrusk is out with a concussion. He took a puck to the head against the Maple Leafs. Bruce Cassidy stated that he’s still not practicing but he is feeling better.

It seems as if some Bruins fans are taking the slogan, “Frozen in time” a little too serious. Trading for Milan Lucic is not going to solve any problems the Bruins have. He’s playing with one of the best, if not the best player in the NHL and he can’t score. The days of having an enforcer are coming to an end. Fighting is still part of the game but not like the old days. Toughness does not win games, goal scoring does. 11 goals in the past 116 games is not enough to convince me to trade anything more than a piece of string away for him. Lucic’s days in Boston are long gone. It’s time to focus on maybe trading for players who can make a difference. Wayne Simmonds perhaps?

There are still plenty of games to be played but points left behind now are going to matter down the line. It’s time to focus on the game rather than narratives being pushed. There are just sixty-nine days left until the trade deadline. That’s plenty of time for the Bruins to make a move or just stay in the position they’re in now.