The Boston Bruins looked like they were heading toward a long, frustrating winter when they hit rock bottom on December 30. At that point, they were mired in a six-game losing streak and held the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Playoff hopes? Fading fast.
But since then, the Bruins have flipped the script in a big way, rattling off a 10-2-1 run that now has them sitting in the second wild card spot as of Tuesday.
So what’s behind this sudden surge? Let’s break it down.
Charlie McAvoy: The Engine on the Blue Line
If there’s one player who’s embodied Boston’s turnaround, it’s Charlie McAvoy. After missing time in November with a jaw injury, McAvoy needed a few weeks to get back up to speed. But once the calendar flipped to January, he found another gear.
McAvoy has racked up 14 points this month (three goals, 11 assists), nearly matching his production from the previous three months combined. But his value goes way beyond the scoresheet.
He’s logging heavy minutes, taking on top-line matchups, and thriving in every situation-5-on-5, power play, penalty kill. He’s blocking shots, throwing hits, and playing with the kind of poise you expect from a true No. 1 defenseman.
Head coach Marco Sturm summed it up best after a recent win over Vegas: “He’s like a horse out there. It’s almost like you want to play him for 60 minutes because he does everything.”
McAvoy’s presence has been a stabilizing force. The Bruins have a positive goal differential and are winning the scoring chance battle when he’s on the ice at even strength. That’s what elite defensemen do-they tilt the ice in your favor.
Morgan Geekie Finds His Groove
Morgan Geekie went through a cold spell from late December through mid-January, going 12 straight games without a goal. But lately, he’s found his scoring touch again-and in a big way.
Over his last four games, Geekie has six points (four goals, two assists), including a two-goal effort against the Canadiens where he netted the game-winner with under six minutes to play. That goal? An absolute laser that got lodged in the back of the net-so sneaky, no one even realized it went in at first except Geekie himself.
While his early-season shooting percentage was unsustainably high, Geekie’s recent production is no fluke. He’s got a quick release, a high hockey IQ, and the ability to finish in tight windows. If the Bruins want to stay in the hunt post-Olympics, they’ll need Geekie to keep producing, especially at even strength and on the power play.
Power Play Revival
Last season, the Bruins’ power play was a major liability-29th in the league at just 15.2 percent. That kind of inefficiency with the man advantage can sink a season.
But this year? It’s a completely different story.
Enter assistant coach Steve Spott. One of his top assignments after joining Sturm’s staff was to fix the power play. Mission accomplished-at least so far.
Boston now boasts the NHL’s third-best power play at 27.5 percent, trailing only Edmonton and Dallas, two teams with far more firepower on paper. The Bruins are moving the puck with purpose, getting bodies in front of the net, and entering the zone cleanly. It’s all clicking.
In January, they’ve been especially lethal-scoring on a league-best 37.5 percent of their power play opportunities. They cashed in three times against Montreal on Saturday, and the confidence with the man advantage is palpable.
Joonas Korpisalo Steps Up
Backup goaltending has been a sore spot for Boston for much of the season, with Joonas Korpisalo struggling to provide quality minutes behind Jeremy Swayman. His save percentage hovered below .900 for the first three months of the season-a tough pill for a team trying to stay afloat in a competitive Eastern Conference.
But January has been a different story. Korpisalo has gone 4-0-1 in his last five starts, posting a .931 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average in six appearances. That’s the kind of performance that allows Swayman to rest and keeps the Bruins competitive regardless of who’s in net.
If Korpisalo can maintain this level of play, it’s a game-changer for Boston’s goaltending tandem-and their postseason hopes.
Fraser Minten Making His Mark
When the Bruins acquired Brandon Carlo from Toronto last season, they also picked up forward Fraser Minten in the deal. At the time, it seemed like a throw-in.
Now? It’s looking like a steal.
Minten has been a steady contributor all season, but he’s taken his game up a notch in January. With 10 points (including a team-leading seven goals) in 12 games this month, he’s emerging as a key piece of Boston’s offensive depth.
His 13 goals on the season would rank fifth on the Maple Leafs’ roster-one more than Matthew Knies, who carries a hefty $7.75 million cap hit. That’s some serious bang for Boston’s buck.
Minten’s impact isn’t just on the scoresheet. He’s been a reliable penalty killer-ranking third among Bruins forwards in shorthanded ice time-and his two-way game has helped the Bruins control play during his shifts.
Boston holds a plus-10 goal differential and a plus-22 edge in scoring chances during his 5-on-5 minutes this season. That’s the kind of depth contribution playoff teams need.
David Pastrnak: Quietly Dominant
David Pastrnak isn’t making a ton of noise off the ice-but on it, he’s been nothing short of elite. He’s been especially hot in January, racking up 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) in just 12 games.
On the season, he leads the Bruins with 67 points (21 goals, 46 assists) in 48 games. No one else on the roster is even close-48 points is the next highest total. Pastrnak is on pace for 101 points, which would mark his fourth straight 100-point campaign.
While he’s long been known for his goal-scoring prowess, this year his playmaking has taken center stage. His 2.87 assists per 60 minutes would be a career high, and his vision has been on full display-like the slick setup he delivered to Geekie on Saturday.
Pastrnak is the engine that drives Boston’s offense, and with the team surging, his steady excellence is a big reason why.
Final Word
The Bruins’ January resurgence isn’t about one player or one fix-it’s been a collective effort. From McAvoy anchoring the blue line, to Pastrnak elevating the offense, to Korpisalo finding his rhythm in net, Boston is showing the kind of balance and resilience that makes them a real threat down the stretch.
They’ve clawed their way back into playoff position. Now the challenge is staying there. But if this recent stretch is any indication, the Bruins are starting to look like a team that believes again-and that's a dangerous thing for the rest of the East.