Boston Bruins Make Surprising Move By Demoting Their Captain

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Hunter Bowman
November 29, 2023 (7:33 PM)

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The Boston Bruins are shaking things up in their lineup, aiming to spark their offense after recent struggles. A standout move sees star forward Brad Marchand shifting to the second line, while Jake DeBrusk earns a coveted spot alongside David Pastrnak on the first line.

In a bid to diversify their attack, the Bruins are trying out a fresh top line, pairing DeBrusk, who has shown scoring potential, with the dynamic Pastrnak. The goal is not just to give DeBrusk a new perspective but also to form a potent duo that can break through opposing defenses.

Here's how the Bruins' forward lines looked in a recent practice:

DeBrusk - Zacha - Pastrnak
Marchand - Poitras - Heinen
van Riemsdyk - Coyle - Frederic
Lauko - Beecher - Geekie
Extra: Steen

On the defensive end, a notable change sees Matt Grzelcyk replaced by Linus Lindholm alongside Charlie McAvoy. This adjustment aims to strengthen the blue line and introduce a fresh defensive strategy.

The defensive pairings during practice were as follows:

Lindholm - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Forbort - Shattenkirk
Extra: Mitchell

Goaltending responsibilities continue to be shared between Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, both proving solid contributors for the Bruins.

These strategic moves respond to the Bruins' offensive challenges, with the team searching for the right formula to generate consistent scoring. The coaching staff hopes these changes will not only reinvigorate the offense but also create a more balanced and effective lineup as the Bruins aim to climb the standings in a competitive season.

Time will tell if these adjustments will be the key to the Bruins' resurgence in goal-scoring.

Source: Bruinsinsider