Why Nick Foligno Will Be the Most Important Bruin in the Playoffs

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Dorin Canaday
March 21, 2023 (9:18)

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One notable bounce back has been that of Nick Foligno, who after a struggle in his first season in Boston, has been crucial to the Bruins on and off the ice.

The Veteran's Absence Can Be Noticeable

Foligno was recently injured against the Flames while the Bruins were on their Western Canadian road trip a few weeks ago. Since then, the veteran has been on the IR, and isn't expected to be back until playoffs.

As Zach Beauchaine Black N' Gold Hockey recently wrote, the team is missing the 35-year-old in the dressing room.

''The on-ice skills of an NHL player are not the only ones of significance when campaigning for a championship. The injury to Foligno is a shaky bump in the road for Boston as the regular season approaches its conclusion. It is a hurdle that has most clearly disrupted the chemistry of Boston over the last few games. The team misses his presence and needs his voice back in their dressing room. His return from injury does not have a specific timeline at this point.''

Which was very evident when the video of his speech that rallied the Bruins from down 1-0 to a thrilling 2-1 win at the Winter Classic at Fenway Park. See below:

This is why Foligno's presence in the playoffs could be the most important thing for the Bruins. Despite him never really enjoying postseason success himself, Uncle Nick is the glue that holds the room together.

Foligno is nowhere near his career-high 73 points (2014-15), but he's already doubled his point total from his first season in Boston. Through 60 games this season, Foligno has registered 10 goals and 16 assists.

As read on Black N' Gold Hockey - Why The Bruins Locker Room Misses a Veteran Like Foligno

POLL
Besides Bergeron, who's the best leader on the Bruins?
Nick Foligno	112	42.6 %
Brad Marchand	96	36.5 %
David Pastrnak	22	8.4 %
David Krejci	33	12.5 %
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