Bruins Cling to Playoff Spot, Lean on Grit, Goaltending, and Pastrnak’s Star Power
SUNRISE, Fla. - The Boston Bruins aren’t exactly cruising through the Eastern Conference, but with 32 games left, they’re still holding down a playoff spot-and after the chaos of last season, that’s something they’ll gladly take.
David Pastrnak, one of the team’s emotional and offensive leaders, put it plainly: “We are in the playoffs right now. Before the season, if you say that heading into the break we’re going to be in a playoff position, we will all take it.”
He’s not wrong. After a rocky 2024-25 campaign, just being in the mix is a sign of resilience.
But Pastrnak also knows there’s work to be done: “Lot of space to improve as a team and the way we play.”
That balance-acknowledging the progress while recognizing the flaws-is the tightrope the Bruins are walking right now.
Pastrnak Heads to Italy with Pride, and a Chip on His Shoulder
Pastrnak won’t be getting much rest during the break. He’s headed to Italy to represent Czechia and will carry his nation’s flag in the opening ceremony-an honor that clearly means the world to him.
“Honestly speechless,” he said. “Very, very honored.
I’m going over there to represent my country. I’m going to give it my all.”
And he’s not just there for the photo ops. Pastrnak, along with teammate Pavel Zacha, helped Czechia win the 2024 World Championship and is still stung by the country’s exclusion from the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Expect them to bring some fire to the ice-and they won’t be the only Bruins looking to make a statement. Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman will suit up for Team USA, while Elias Lindholm and Hampus Lindholm represent Sweden, and Henri Jokiharju and Joonas Korpisalo line up for Finland.
With so many Bruins involved, odds are good that someone returns with a medal. But given the intensity of international play, there’s also a real chance someone comes back banged up.
That’s the gamble. And it sets up a fascinating return to action on February 26-against the surging Columbus Blue Jackets, no less.
Sturm: “We Survived”
Head coach Marco Sturm didn’t sugarcoat the grind his team has been through.
“You have the Stanley Cup champions here. You’ve got Tampa being the hottest team in the league.
And we survived,” Sturm said after Boston dropped a 5-4 shootout to Florida. “So I give my guys, until this point, a lot of credit.
Nobody thought we would be in the position we’re in right now.”
He’s not wrong. The Bruins have weathered injuries, inconsistency, and a brutal schedule-and they’re still in the playoff picture.
That’s a win in itself. But Sturm also knows the margin for error is razor-thin.
“For all of us, I think it’s good to have a little break and come back ready to go for a really big month.”
Shootout Woes and the Points That Got Away
The Bruins could’ve had more cushion in the standings if they’d closed out their last two games in overtime. Instead, they dropped both in the shootout-a format that’s been less than kind to them this season.
They’re 2-3 in shootouts, and their top scorers haven’t delivered in those moments. Neither Pastrnak (22 goals) nor Morgan Geekie (32) has registered a shootout goal this season.
“They’re big points. I’m not going to lie,” Sturm said.
“It’s been a grind… Unfortunately, twice we came short in the shootout. That’s where we have to get better, too.”
He’s right. Those are the kind of points that can decide playoff positioning-or whether you make the cut at all.
Strengths That Keep Them Afloat: Power Play and Goaltending
What’s keeping Boston in the fight? Two things: a lethal power play and rock-solid goaltending.
The Bruins boast the fourth-best power play in the league, clicking at 26.3 percent. That kind of efficiency with the man advantage is a lifeline for a team that’s struggled to control play at even strength.
And then there’s Jeremy Swayman. According to MoneyPuck, he’s saved 16.2 goals above expected-fourth-best in the league behind Ilya Sorokin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Logan Thompson. That’s elite company.
But don’t sleep on Joonas Korpisalo. After a rough start, he’s quietly turned things around.
Since Jan. 8, Korpisalo has posted a .918 save percentage in six starts-better than Swayman’s .909 over the same span.
That turnaround began with a 28-save win against Calgary, and since then, he’s looked like a reliable No. 2.
“He just needed that one game,” Sturm said. “Then he just took off.
I’m really happy. Because if you look at our team, we need two really good goaltenders.
We really do.”
Five-on-Five Play Still a Concern
There’s no denying it: the Bruins are leaning hard on their special teams and goaltending. At five-on-five, they’ve got an expected goals-for share of just 46.45 percent, per Natural Stat Trick-fifth-worst in the league.
That’s a red flag. It means they’re getting outplayed more often than not at even strength, and that’s not a sustainable recipe for postseason success.
But here’s the thing: they’re finding ways to win. They’re maximizing what they do well and staying afloat in a conference that’s as competitive as ever. That alone speaks volumes about the group’s resilience and buy-in under Sturm.
The Road Ahead
The Bruins aren’t out of the woods. Columbus is charging hard, and the Eastern Conference is a minefield. But for now, they’re in playoff position-and that’s no small feat given where they were a year ago.
They’ll need to sharpen their five-on-five play, find answers in the shootout, and hope their international stars return healthy. But they’ve already shown they can punch above their weight.
And with Pastrnak playing inspired hockey, a power play that can flip games, and two goaltenders trending in the right direction, they’ve got the tools to stay in the fight.
The next chapter starts Feb. 26. Buckle up.