Bruins Catch a Break with Post-Olympic Schedule
As the NHL gears up for the post-Olympic grind, the Boston Bruins find themselves in a favorable position. With a four-point cushion over the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Bruins are set to face the Blue Jackets at the TD Garden on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Washington is slated to play the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
The Bruins might just have lucked out with their schedule, and here's why.
Weathering the Storm
Two key Bruins players, defenseman Charlie McAvoy and goalie Jeremy Swayman, recently competed in the Gold Medal Game for Team USA. However, their return to Boston has been complicated by a massive blizzard in the Northeast.
Originally, Team USA planned to fly their players from the Olympics to New York on Monday, with connecting flights to their respective cities. But the severe storm forced a change in plans, rerouting them to Miami instead. With 2-3 feet of snow and significant storm damage, travel in the Northeast is a challenge.
The Bruins canceled their Monday practice due to the weather, and Tuesday's activities at Warrior Ice Arena are uncertain. The focus now is on getting the team back together safely.
Strategic Advantage
Both Bruins goalies were involved in weekend medal games, raising concerns about their readiness for immediate action. Head coach Marco Sturm emphasized the importance of practice reps for his goalies. Fortunately, Joonas Korpisalo likely returned to Boston before the storm hit, positioning him to prepare for Thursday's game against Columbus.
In the midst of this chaos, the Bruins have inadvertently gained a scheduling advantage by not being forced into an immediate game on Wednesday night. This unexpected break allows them some breathing room to regroup and strategize for the crucial matches ahead.
As the Bruins navigate these challenges, their ability to adapt could play a pivotal role in maintaining their lead and pushing for a strong postseason run.