The Bruins have been on one of their worst stretches of the season. They have lost four games in a row and five of their last six. They are averaging just 2.1 goals per game in that stretch and just 1.6 per game in their last five losses. They have scored just one goal in four of their last seven games.
Needless to say, their offense is struggling to produce points, putting pressure on the defense, and their goaltending.
Meanwhile, Bruins prospect Georgi Merkulov is coming off another impressive performance in the Providences Bruins' 6-3 win over the Rochester Americans in which he had 2 goals and an assist. Merkulov is an undrafted player signed out of Ohio State University who is in his third year with the Providence Bruins. He has been a very solid player for them last year and so far, this year leading the team in points, increasing his goal total each year and is on pace to increase this year again with 13 goals, 15 assists for 28 points in 30 games. A point per game player is exactly what could spark the Bruins offense right now.
This could also be a perfect time for the Bruins to give Merkulov a chance to show his stuff at the NHL level with the absence of Matt Poitras, who is participating in the World Juniors. With the roster from top to bottom struggling offensively, Merkulov could provide a spark, at least even if its short term until Poitras gets back from World Juniors.
