Bruins Hope to Stay in Playoff Position

November 6, 2013

By Jesse Andreozzi – 11-6-13

It’s been an average start to the season for the Bruins.

The Boston Bruins currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with an 8-5-1 record.

The team had a strong start but then lost four of its past five games, including a 3-2 shootout loss to former Bruin Tyler Seguin and the Dallas Stars.

Fortunately, forward Loui Eriksson returned to the lineup Tuesday night against the Stars after missing the previous five games with a concussion. Eriksson had 2 goals and 1 assist through the first eight games of the year.

Bruins coach Claude Julien says he’s encouraged by the chemistry Eriksson is establishing with linemates Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The team hopes Eriksson’s return can bolster its 20th ranked power play and help provide much needed support for an offense that ranks 17th in the league with 2.64 goals per game.

Goaltending continues to be an area of strength for the Bruins. The net-minding tandem of Tuukka Rask and Chad Johnson has been stellar, allowing an average of 1.93 goals per game thus far this season. That number ranks 2nd in the league.