Boston Bruins' Penalty Kill Revamp: A New Approach Post-Olympics
The Boston Bruins are gearing up to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are riding a seven-game winning streak and nipping at the Bruins' heels for the East’s No. 2 wild card spot. As the Bruins return from the Olympic break, there's a buzz about their revamped penalty-killing strategy.
Sean Kuraly, a key figure in the Bruins' short-handed play, highlighted the significance of the changes, noting that the Olympic break provided a crucial window for practice. The Bruins are keeping their new tactics under wraps, ensuring the Blue Jackets have no footage to analyze.
“There’s a few small tweaks. A few small reads,” Kuraly shared. “We’re trying to learn from teams that excel in this area.”
Recent practices have focused heavily on tightening up in the middle and protecting the net front. With their penalty kill ranking 28th in the NHL at 76.4 percent, the Bruins know improvement is essential. They’ve been struggling, especially evident in recent shootout losses where they conceded five power-play goals.
The Bruins have been short-handed a league-high 212 times, and Kuraly acknowledges that cutting down on penalties is priority number one. “We’re overwhelmed by the number of penalties we’ve taken,” he admitted.
Previously, the Bruins employed a hybrid diamond formation, which Kuraly often spearheaded. His role involved containing the puck carrier and discouraging passes into the middle. However, opponents have exploited weaknesses in this setup, prompting the need for change.
Coach Marco Sturm explained, “A straight diamond can be aggressive but leaves you vulnerable to low two-on-ones.”
The Bruins’ issues are compounded by key players like Nikita Zadorov, Charlie McAvoy, and Hampus Lindholm spending too much time in the penalty box. This is problematic, especially as these players are integral to the penalty kill.
McAvoy’s situation is particularly concerning. He’s been logging significant PK minutes, which detracts from his offensive contributions. Notably, McAvoy suffered a jaw injury while short-handed against Montreal, highlighting the risks involved.
After a late return from attending the State of the Union address, McAvoy missed Wednesday’s practice but is expected to participate in Thursday’s morning skate to catch up on the new PK strategy.
Kuraly emphasized the importance of clear communication and positioning, saying, “It’s about knowing where to pressure and what to take away, prioritizing the middle, and keeping our defense closer to the net.”
As the Bruins prepare to unveil their new penalty-killing approach, fans will be eager to see if these changes can propel them to greater success in the crucial games ahead.