The Boston Bruins are heating up at just the right time. Winners of five straight and seven of their last eight, they’ve muscled their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff mix. But for all the momentum, one question still lingers: can this team be trusted to sustain it?
It’s a fair concern. The Bruins haven’t just been streaky this season-they’ve practically defined the term.
In 48 games, they’ve already endured two separate six-game losing streaks, one of them a brutal 0-4-2 stretch. Sandwiched between those skids was a seven-game win streak.
Now, they’re riding another hot hand, having rediscovered their edge at home after a shaky 1-3-1 homestand before Christmas.
But here’s the catch: the road has been a different story. The Bruins are a pedestrian 10-11-1 away from Causeway Street, and the next test comes Saturday in Chicago, followed by a tough matchup in Dallas on Tuesday. So while the current surge is encouraging, it’s hard to fully buy in until they show they can carry this form outside of TD Garden.
That said, there are some very real signs that this group might be turning a corner.
Charlie McAvoy: Leading by Example
Let’s start with Charlie McAvoy, who’s been playing some of the best hockey of his career. During the recent five-game homestand, McAvoy was a force-posting a plus-9 rating with six points (1 goal, 5 assists).
But it’s not just the numbers. It’s the way he’s impacting games.
Take the 4-2 win over Seattle. With the Bruins missing defenseman Andrew Peeke early in the game, McAvoy stepped up in a major way. He logged 28 minutes, picked up two assists, finished plus-3, and made a game-saving play late-skating the puck out of danger during a 6-on-5 and drawing a penalty to seal the win.
“He’s playing outstanding,” said head coach Marco Sturm after the game. “Even off the ice, I feel like he’s growing as a leader.
He’s doing a lot of the right things, taking care of himself. He’s in a good spot right now.”
McAvoy isn’t just anchoring the blue line-he’s setting the tone for the entire team. If he keeps playing at this level, the Bruins’ ceiling gets a whole lot higher.
Marat Khusnutdinov: Quietly Emerging
Another bright spot? Marat Khusnutdinov.
The 2020 second-rounder is starting to look like a legitimate top-six forward. He won’t be scoring four goals a night like he did against the Rangers, but his confidence is growing-and it shows.
With 10 goals and 21 points in 43 games, Khusnutdinov has already surpassed his production from three seasons (91 games) in Minnesota. His speed was on full display Thursday night when he took a feed from McAvoy, blew past a Seattle defender, and buried a goal less than a minute into the game.
What’s most impressive, though, is his puck-hunting ability. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s strong on the puck and willing to do the dirty work-especially when paired with a sniper like David Pastrnak. That kind of complementary play is invaluable.
“You can see it now,” said Sturm. “He’s holding onto pucks, not just looking for David all the time.
That shows confidence, and that’s what we want from him. He’s been outstanding all season.”
Morgan Geekie: Slumping, But Still a Threat
Not everything is clicking, though. Morgan Geekie-still the team’s leading goal scorer with 25-has hit a cold patch.
He’s now gone 11 games without a goal, with just three assists in that span. His shot, once a reliable weapon, isn’t finding the net with the same authority.
But here’s the silver lining: the Bruins are winning without him scoring. That’s a good sign.
Geekie had been on a heater dating back to last season, so some regression was inevitable. The key now is whether he can reset and reignite that scoring touch down the stretch.
Roster Moves: Viel Out, Sweezey In
The Bruins made a minor trade on Friday, sending forward Jeffrey Viel to Anaheim in exchange for the earlier of the Ducks’ two fourth-round picks in 2026. Viel was a feel-good story in October, making the opening night roster as a physical presence after a strong camp. But with roster space at a premium-especially following Peeke’s injury-the Bruins needed flexibility.
Viel hadn’t played since December 20 and had only appeared in one game since late November. His role had diminished, and with the team needing to call up defenseman Billy Sweezey from Providence on an emergency basis, the move made sense.
With the pick, Boston now holds nine selections in the upcoming draft, including two first-rounders and three fourths. That kind of draft capital could come in handy soon.
Trade Winds: Andersson on the Radar
Speaking of which, the Bruins continue to be linked to Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson. The 29-year-old right-shot blue liner is on an expiring deal worth $4.55 million, and there’s growing chatter that Boston could make a move-if an extension is part of the equation.
Andersson would be a strong fit on a team that could use another top-four defenseman. A potential pairing of Hampus Lindholm and Andersson would give the Bruins a balanced and mobile second unit, while McAvoy and Nikita Zadorov could hold down the top pair. Add in a bottom pairing of Jonathan Aspirot and Peeke (once healthy), and you’ve got a six-man group that’s built for playoff hockey.
What would it cost? Calgary would likely want a first-round pick, and possibly a player like Mason Lohrei-who’s shown offensive upside but remains a work in progress defensively. Fabian Lysell, who’s producing in Providence but seems to be on the outside of the Bruins’ long-term plans, could also be part of a package.
It’s a tricky balance. The Bruins are competitive, but they’re still in a retooling phase.
They can’t afford to throw assets at rentals. But if Andersson comes with term, the calculus changes.
Final Word
There’s still plenty to prove, especially on the road. But with McAvoy playing like a Norris candidate, Khusnutdinov blossoming into a real contributor, and the team winning even without key scorers firing on all cylinders, the Bruins are showing signs of something more sustainable.
Now it’s about consistency. If they can find it, this team could be more than just a streaky wildcard. They might just be a real problem come spring.