BOSTON — Bruins head coach Claude Julien specified “commitment” as one area he wanted to see improvement in from his team heading into Monday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.
The B’s didn’t show enough of it Saturday night and the Columbus Blue Jackets capitalized for a 6-2 win.
Boston responded with arguably its best performance of the season versus the Red Wings. The Bruins started the first period with a physical edge, a willingness and desire to win every 50-50 puck battle and a higher level of execution than we’ve seen over the last few weeks. The result was a 5-2 win, highlighted by three first-period goals.
It was a blueprint the team can use for the rest of the season.
“That was a great example of how we have to play, pretty much for the rest of the season, it’s pretty simple,” Bruins captain Zdeno Chara said.
“We had the right attitude and right approach right from the first drop of the puck. Even they put some pressure on us, especially in the second (period) when they got some power plays going, but I thought we handled it well. Our young guys really stepped up, our veteran guys were obviously leading the way but I think it’s a great example of how we need to be. Everybody worked really hard, everybody was doing what they were supposed to do and we got good results.”
Monday’s win really was a total team effort. All four lines contributed a goal and nine Bruins tallied at least a point. Thirteen of 18 Bruins had a positive Corsi, helping Boston win the puck possession battle against a Detroit team that ranks fourth with a 53.24 Corsi-for percentage.
The Bruins know they are better than what their record (19-15-3) indicates. Monday’s win over a top Eastern Conference team is evidence of that. But the Bruins cannot wait too long before making a surge up the standings because the East is better and more competitive than last season.
Teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs — who visit TD Garden on Wednesday — as well as the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders are improved and should be in the playoff race throughout the campaign.
Boston has to show it can build off Monday’s victory and go on an extended win streak. The B’s have had win streaks of three or more games only twice this season and the team’s record after wins is just 8-10-0. It’s hard to make a climb up the standings with that level of inconsistency.
“I think it was pretty obvious (Monday night)Â that there was a bigger determination and commitment to working hard from start to finish,” Julien said. “This is one of hopefully many, and we need to understand that this is how we have to play and be successful.”
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
