u200bThe warning signs were there.
u200bComing out of the Olympic break, the Bruins ranked sixth in the NHL in goals scored per game (3.39). But a peek under the hood showed some worrying signs of regression.
u200bAt the time, the Bruins were scoring 14.68 goals above expected (per Natural Stat Trick) — ranking behind only the Montreal Canadiens in outpacing their scoring rate via outlier shooting percentages.
u200bThe Bruins have punched above their weight for most of this season. But if Marco Sturm’s club was going to stumble in its sprint to the finish line, a sustained scoring slump loomed as a viable threat to Boston’s playoff hopes.