How Charlie Coyle Has Been The Boston Bruins’ Unsung Hero This Season

The 31-year-old forward has scored nine points in the last eight games for the Boston Bruins.

Charlie Coyle nearly stole a win for the Boston Bruins in the dwindling minutes of the third period Tuesday night against the Arizona Coyotes.

The knock-in attempt off David Pastrnak’s initial shot, however, was kept out of the net by Arizona goaltender Connor Ingrams’ right foot in the eventual 4-3 overtime loss.

“I got that second whack at it and thought I beat the blocker – which I think I did – and I think it hit the pad. That’s a heck of a save,” Coyle told reporters Tuesday.

While Coyle was denied a heroic ending in the second game of the Bruins’ back-to-back, he’s been an unsung hero for his team this season. Not just at the center position, but on the power play, penalty kill and off the ice as well.

The 31-year-old forward was tabbed for the 2C slotting following the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, and has taken on the responsibility with poise and purpose. What has perhaps stood out most is Coyle’s consistency.

With 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) through 40 games, Coyle is on pace to reach the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career, and is three tucks away from surpassing his 2022-23 total of 16. What’s more, Coyle has potted four power-play goals while skating on the second unit with Jake DeBrusk, James van Riemsdyk, Hampus Lindholm and Kevin Shattenkirk.

As his offensive production upticks, the rest of Coyle’s game hasn’t been neglected – his versatility has been key. The East Weymouth, Mass. native remains a penalty-kill stalwart and is the Bruins’ go-to guy to protect a lead in the final moments of a game. Coyle has averaged a heightened 17:52 of total ice time per game, and logged 20:01 against the Coyotes.

Coyle, in a year of crossroads for both the Bruins team and his own role within it, has earned the unwavering trust of his coaches and his teammates.

Bruins coach Jim Montgomery has had Coyle centering the second line between Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk, but moved him to play with Marchand and Pastrnak during Tuesday’s matchup.

“I felt ‘Pasta’ was on, felt Marchand was on, and I wanted the most reliable center to be playing with them, and that’s Charlie Coyle,” Montgomery told reporters after the game.

Boston has now lost three of its last four games and is facing the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena. Coyle has been insistent all season on the Bruins embracing adversity, and his group’s main focus will be starting on time.

“It’s not the way we wanted to start things. Kind of looked like it took a little bit to get our legs going,” Coyle said of the B’s game against Arizona. “We pride ourselves on being a good third period team, but you’ve got to bring it right from puck drop.”

Thursday’s 10 p.m. game against the Golden Knights will be the third stop in the Bruins’ four-game road trip as they look to get back into the win column.