"For all of the preseason talk of the 2025-26 Bruins being a team forced to win low-scoring games while relying heavily on a stout defensive unit, much of the opposite played out over the first month of a new campaign. After Boston's lopsided 7-2 loss to the Senators on Monday, the Bruins ranked 29th in the NHL in goals allowed per gamer (3.82), and 29th in high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 play (13.4)."
"It's hard to ignore the cause-and-effect that has now played out over the last three games for Boston. In the last three games - all wins for Boston - the Bruins' defensive structure has largely tightened up. As the Bruins defensive fortitude has found its footing, it comes as little surprise that McAvoy has played some of his best hockey of the season. And McAvoy's best stretch of play has also coincided with the Bruins' blueliner skating with a new partner in Nikita Zadorov."
Boston conceded 3.82 goals per game and ranked 29th in high-danger scoring chances allowed (13.4 per 60 at 5-on-5) after a 7-2 loss to the Senators. The top pairing of Charlie McAvoy and Mason Lohrei was outscored 10-7 in 120 minutes together. The Bruins shifted from expected low-scoring, defense-first identity to early defensive lapses that frustrated the locker room. In the subsequent three wins the defensive structure tightened, and McAvoy produced some of his best hockey while skating with Nikita Zadorov. Marco Sturm’s staff now appears to have a steadier defensive pairing anchoring the blue line.
Read at Boston.com
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