When Boston Bruins second-line right wing David Pastrnak left a game on April 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an injury, it was not known how long he was going to be out of the lineup. As it turns out, the injury has forced Pastrnak to miss the last seven games. Since he left the lineup, Boston has struggled to win just two of seven games. Not only have the Black and Gold struggled to win games, but they have also struggled to put the puck in the net.
When you’re missing your leading scorer, the other stars on the team need to pick up the slack and that has just not been the case for the Bruins. Two of their scorers that they need to pick up the slack have struggled to light the lamp, something that coach Bruce Cassidy and their teammates need them to do more of sooner rather than later.
Marchand & Hall Have Been Lacking Production
The case could be made that Brad Marchand has been the most consistent goal scorer in the last seven seasons. He has been a 30-goal scorer in five of the last seven seasons, including this season, but when the Bruins need him the most in the last two weeks, he has not been able to produce. It’s not for a lack of trying either.
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Marchand has fired 27 shots on the net in the seven games, but either he has been stopped by the opponent’s goalies or in the case of the game against the Washington Capitals on April 10 and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 16, the opponents defenseman with the goalie out of position. His last goal was on April 2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the TD Garden and since then, he has had two assists.
Marchand isn’t the only forward that the Bruins were hoping to get more production from with Pastrnak out as Taylor Hall is also in a scoring drought at the wrong time. On the second line with Erik Haula and a rotation of young right wings, the former hart Trophy winner with the New Jersey Devils has 20 shots on the net in his last seven…
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