Boston Bruins: The Best Offense Is A Stellar Defense

Having an imposing defense is one thing. When your defense displays its prolific capabilities at not only stopping the best offensive team in the league but is simultaneously capable of putting up points as well, you have a team that can’t be underestimated in any scenario.

While the Boston Bruins were adequate at goal scoring and abysmal at making the most of power play opportunities during the regular season, their defense proved to be their saving grace time and time again.  Now, after a decisive game one victory over the immensely talented Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference finals the Bruins have made it clear that they can effectively stifle high-octane scorers such as Sidney Crosby while also making the most of offensive opportunities whenever they have a clear shot at the goal.

However, the prime example of their superior defensive abilities wasn’t the recent battle against the Penguins; it was the emotionally explosive comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs that displayed the Bruins potential at being an offensive force to be reckoned with.  The spark that ignited this unforeseen attack was none other than the Bruins skilled center Patrice Bergeron.  Even when it seemed that the Bruins had been completely demoralized by the Maple Leafs, Bergeron singlehandedly rejuvenated his team’s confidence that enabled them to erase a three-goal deficit nearly halfway through the third period.  It was Bergeron’s game tying goal with less than a minute in the final period and eventually his game winning score in overtime that allowed this team to harken back to their nostalgic Stanley Cup aptitude.

Eventually, the rest of the Bruins roster stepped up to do their part in the subsequent series against the New York Rangers. Between Zdeno Chara and Gregory Campbell making critical goals when they were needed most, or even Tuukka Rask with his clutch saves that allowed this tenacious team to stay competitive, the Boston Bruins utilized nearly every facet of their talented repertoire.  Even when the team was down a goal in the third period for the second consecutive time against the New York Rangers in the opening game of the series, they never gave up and always believed that as long as there was time left on the clock that they still had a fighting chance at making the impossible a reality.  And they did.

Not even the dominant offensive attack of the Penguins could deter the Bruins from implementing their own innovative schemes.  The Bruins didn’t let the heat of the moment intimidate them to the point where their roster became mentally debilitated because of the immense pressure that was on them.  Instead, the Bruins thrived on a foreign ice rink with die-hard fans uttering hometown cheers for a team that had earned the right at being considered a favorite to the win the Stanly Cup.  The Bruins came out with a massive chip on their shoulder and played valiantly to prove to the world that they deserved the limelight and could silence a united home crowd just as well as anybody. And they did.

Even though the Bruins have only won a single game in what appears to be a highly competitive series in the anticipated days to come, the Bruins came out firing on all cylinders and right out of the gate put the pressure on the favored team to earn their chance at a highly coveted spot to compete for the Stanly Cup.  If Pittsburgh wants to hoist the massively desired trophy above their heads in the presence of their devoted fans, they’ll have to get through the stubborn, never say die Bruins who won’t give up without a fight for the ages where only one team will come out alive and battle hardened for the ultimate playoff series that they seek to reach.

While Boston still has to keep up this exhilarating style of play while remaining disciplined at all times, they have unquestionably displayed a desire to not only win, but to dominate any opponent that attempts to prevent them from obtaining the Stanley Cup.  The road ahead is still perilous and they have an arduous opponent in front them in the Pittsburgh Penguins, but if any team can overcome this type of insurmountable adversity it’s the Boston Bruins.