Bruins Reporter Hints At A Big Move The Boston Bruins Are Set To Make
A Boston Bruins reporter has hinted at a big move the organization is set to make.
The Boston Bruins are unable to make any roster moves until the holiday roster freeze ends on December 28th, but head coach Joe Sacco has been able to find some connections in his lineup by shuffling his lines.
Joe Sacco put together the line of Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Elias Lindholm which has connected very well for the Bruins, and they played a big role in the Bruins beating the Washington Capitals Monday night.
Marchand had this to say about his line:
Charlie Coyle has excelled on the wing, but having him on the top line gives them two true centers. Coyle has been responsible defensively for the Bruins, but has also been very good offensively for them ever since being placed on the line with Marchand and Lindholm.
Lindholm has five points in his last five games, with three goals, Brad Marchand is on a ten-game point streak, and Coyle now has three points in his last two games. To say this line has been good for the Bruins is an understatement, they have basically been carrying the team.
This line has only played 33:42 together, but have made their mark during that time, as they have controlled possession and pace of the game when they are on the ice.
With Coyle being taken off of the third line, the Bruins have a big whole to fill there, and it seems like the only right answer is for the Bruins to call up Matt Poitras who has been doing some damage down in the American Hockey League with the Providence Bruins.
If the Bruins do not feel like making a roster move, and recalling Matt Poitras, Mark Kastelic should be given the roll of the third line center.
Trent Frederic has been the center of the third line since Coyle got put on the top line, but him Brazeau and Wahlstrom have not been good together.
The line could be good as they are a big-bodied trio that can wear down their opponents, but that hasn't happened and they have been getting caved in. With this trio on the ice, they are being out shot-attempted 22-8 and are being outshot 5-1. To make things worse the expected goal share is 0.93-0.03 for the opposing team when they are on the ice.
Trent Frederic is not made to be playing center and it shows, he can definitely fill in but he plays way better when on the wing. On the season Trent Frederic sits with a 45.13% on the faceoff.
Mark Kastelic fits the Bruins dynamic perfectly as he is a hard forechecker, skates fast, and plays a physical brand of hockey, while not being scared to drop the gloves. On the season Kastelic has the Bruins best faceoff percentage with a 54.98% while playing fourth-line minutes, and has also produced for the Bruins this year.
