Krug finding goal-scoring range after first-half struggles

Share

NASHVILLE – While the Bruins four-game road trip ended on a bit of a down note with the 2-1 loss to the Predators in Nashville, it appears that Torey Krug is starting to find his goal-scoring range.

Krug has scored goals in each the past two games and managed the only goal on Thursday night when he launched a puck on edge from the high slot that Nashville backup Juuse Saros never got a look at on its way to the net. In fact, Krug has two goals and 12 points in his past 11 games with six power-play points as the offense is beginning to crank up for a puck-moving defenseman who struggled a bit in the first half.

Krug scored one goal in his first 43 games of the season and now has lamp-lighters in each of the previous two games on the road.

Krug also had the turnover in front of the Boston net that led to Nashville’s first goal on Thursday, however, so he wasn’t exactly in a half-glass full state of mind following the game.

“I’d feel a lot better about it if we won, obviously,” said Krug, who has three goals and 26 points for the B’s this season. “I’ve been playing the same way whether it’s me putting the puck in directly myself, or one of my teammates tipping the puck in like they have so far this season. I’m going to approach the game the same way, but it’s nice to help the team.

“It’s one of those things where messed up clearing attempts can lead to good chances for the power play, so you’ve got to take it to the net. The goalie had no idea where the puck was [after Krug’s release].”

Clearly, Krug’s uptick in offense lately has been part of the story in the B’s power-play resurgence over the last month, in which Boston has gone 9-for-36 (25 percent success rate) in the past 11 games and is very slowly moving up the NHL ladder. The now rank 23rd in the NHL in PP success rate this season. The Bruins will need Krug’s current hot streak to continue if they truly aspire to be a dangerous special teams group in the second half of the season. 

    

Contact Us