Bruins rule the Eastern Conference – Annenberg Media

“The Silver Shield” is a column by Kasey Kazliner about the National Hockey League.

There’s no stopping Boston

While the Boston Bruins’ first-round exit in last year’s playoffs after holding the best regular-season record in NHL history was embarrassing, they are back this season with some extra pep in their step. The Bruins currently sit atop the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Vancouver Canucks for the NHL’s top record (party like it’s 2011, right?). Boston is also the only team to not have double-digit regulation losses, and with the exception of a few skids, has been winning at a championship-level rate.

Right winger David Pastrnak is making a very strong case to win the Hart Trophy in 2023-24. Pastrnak is in his 10th season donning black and gold at just 27 years old, and his 72 points and 33 goals put him third on the NHL leaderboard for both categories. The Czech star tallied at least one point in all but three contests in January, helping him get selected to his fourth All-Star Game in his career. His well-roundedness in all three zones has expanded his game from year to year, and his hunger for the Cup has only grown after Boston’s playoff woes in recent years.

Left winger Brad Marchand may not be having as prolific of a season as Pastrnak, but he’s been a huge force for the Bruins despite his older age. His 47 points can mostly be attributed to his scrappiness and ability to score from difficult angles. Marchand also leads Boston with five game-winning goals.

Center Pavel Zacha has also effectively created offensive chances for the Bruins, winning 53.5% of his faceoffs and using his size to create shot opportunities.

The Bruins’ goaltending tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark is one of the best in the NHL. Swayman’s 2.30 goals against average is good for third-best in the league and Ullmark’s 2.78 isn’t too shabby either. Both are also near the top of the league in save percentage, and can thank Boston’s defensive depth that includes Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm.

In their centennial season, the Bruins are destined to hoist their seventh Stanley Cup in franchise history. Another phenomenal regular season has been secured, but if they can’t make any noise come playoff time, they’ll have to live with the shame again.

The Bruins’ All-Star Break hibernation period will end when they take on the Calgary Flames next Tuesday.

There’s a storm coming in the Metropolitan

The race for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division is heating up. The leading New York Rangers might’ve started the season as a top Eastern team, but the second-place Carolina Hurricanes have reigned supreme as of late, and only trail by two points.

The ‘Canes have won division titles in each of their last three seasons and while this year’s campaign has been tough so far, Carolina has stayed resilient. The absence of netminder Frederik Andersen, who has been sidelined with a blood clotting issue since early November, has put extra pressure on Antti Raanta to stay consistent.

Center Seth Jarvis has broken out this season and has been reliable on both ends of the ice. Jarvis totalled 40 points in his rookie season and already has 38 through 20 fewer games. His emergence has been huge for Carolina, who has benefited from his risk-taking and energetic play.

All-Star Sebastian Aho, though, has been the Hurricanes’ best player by far. As the top-line center, Aho can really do it all. He is elite defensively, forechecking, at winning faceoffs and at creating chances. His 54 points lead Carolina.

The Hurricanes are star-studded; Jarvis and Aho are among three other ‘Canes with 30 or more points. Carolina will have no problem making the playoffs, but winning the Metropolitan will be its main goal.

The storm will resume next Tuesday when the Hurricanes host the Western Conference’s best, the Vancouver Canucks.

Canucks and Flames swap pieces

If it wasn’t clear that the Vancouver Canucks were all-in, landing Calgary Flames All-Star center Elias Lindholm made it obvious. Vancouver sent draft compensation, forward Andrei Kuzmenko and two prospect defensemen to land the touted Lindholm.

Lindholm is a huge pickup for the Canucks. He is a high-scoring, two-way center that can generate points while also being reliable on special teams. Vancouver now has six All-Stars and is set to make it back to the postseason for the first time since 2019-20.

This move is not surprising. The stout Canucks are buyers, and the underachieving Flames could likely be big sellers. Lindholm might be a pending unrestricted free agent, but his 32 points thus far made his name look shiny on the market. He could very well win the Selke Trophy and will thrive alongside Vancouver’s other weapons.

As for the Flames, acquiring a haul headlined by Kuzmenko isn’t a bad deal. Although the winger has been inconsistent to say the least, a lower-stakes “prove it” situation might be what he needs to turn things around. Adding draft capital and prospects will also be beneficial for Calgary’s future.

With Lindholm’s soon-to-be expiring contract on the backburner, the Canucks have their eyes on the prize: the Stanley Cup. Vancouver seeks its first in franchise history after falling short in all three of its past appearances.

“The Silver Shield” runs every Thursday.