The Boston Bruins have had a tough start to their 2024-25 campaign. They currently sit at 3-3-1, a record that is probably better than how fans feel about their team right now. The team’s four total losses hurt. Their first two came against the Florida Panthers, a team that has been the Bruins’ kryptonite over the last few seasons. Next came a stinger of an overtime loss in the team’s first-ever matchup with the Utah Hockey Club in a game where they scored just one goal and were outshot 32-22. Most recently, the Bruins suffered an embarrassing 4-0 shutout loss to the previously pointless Nashville Predators.
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Cause for serious concern has crept in over the last two games. During the Bruins’ loss against Utah, head coach Jim Montgomery was seen uncharacteristically ripping into Brad Marchand after his turnover, which resulted in a goal that was eventually called back. Montgomery made contact with his captain, giving him a slight shove in the back, something that we do not often see on NHL benches. The Bruins then proceeded to allow 42 shots on goal in their following game against the Predators. After Ryan O’Reilly scored the first goal of the game in the first period, it never felt like the Bruins were able to get their feet under them. There are a handful of individual players who need to step up if they want to contend this season, however, two centers stand out in particular: Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic.
Charlie Coyle
Coyle is coming off a career year where he set highs in goals and assists after being asked to play a bigger role following the departure of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. His 2024-25 has started slowly. The Weymouth native has just one point in seven games (after having 60 in 82 last season). His plus/minus of minus-6 is second-worst on the team and he has registered just six shots on goal, down from his nearly two per game a season ago, and he has also posted a faceoff win percentage of 42% through seven games, down ten points from a year ago.
Coyle is a veteran presence in the Bruins locker room and one of the team’s longest-tenured players at this point. At his best, he is a solid top-six center who electrifies the players around him and plays a strong two-way game. His slow start has contributed to the fact that the second line as a whole has seen…
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