Overview
- Boston’s defensive structure has tightened over the past three games, all wins, after an early slide that included a 7-2 loss and bottom-tier goals and high-danger chances allowed.
- The McAvoy–Zadorov pairing has emerged as the anchor, surrendering only one 5-on-5 goal in their shared time and holding Carolina to one high-danger chance during 17:28 at even strength.
- Hampus Lindholm’s return has stabilized the blue line, with the Bruins improving to 5-1-0 in games he has played this season.
- Defenseman Mason Lohrei was scratched for a third straight game, and coach Marco Sturm said he wants Lohrei to be upset and use the time to adjust his game.
- Joonas Korpisalo delivered a strong week in net and Marat Khusnutdinov impressed in top-line duty with Elias Lindholm out, including solid work on faceoffs.