🎙️ In this week’s Bruins Tape to Tape, Karoline and Maria unpack a whiplash stretch: an emotional Brad Marchand return, a Ducks debacle, a disciplined reset vs. Colorado, and what Hampus Lindholm’s IR move really means for Boston’s blue line.

🧭 Where We’re At

* Lindholm to IR (backdated Oct 9) so Boston can carry a playable 23; Jonathan Aspirot recalled for depth.

* Six-game skid averted with a composed win over the Avalanche; structure finally showed up.

* Frozen Frenzy (Tue 28th): every team plays; Bruins in a packed week of swing games for standings.

🔁 Road Trip Reality Check

* Florida & Anaheim: winnable, but lost to self-inflicted wounds—turnovers, late-answer goals against, D-zone chaos.

* Colorado at home: Swayman outstanding; smarter pair usage and fewer penalties; stars answered.

🧠 Coaching & Accountability

* Habits vs. Identity: If you’re a defense-first team, shifts after goals must be airtight.

* Ice-time messages: Shorter leashes for top-six when details slip. Split pairs when needed to simplify reads.

* PP trend: Better design, still streaky; 1-for-5 vs. Florida wasn’t enough in a one-goal game.

👥 Players & Pairings

* Swayman: No. 1 star vs. Avs; that’s the standard.

* McAvoy–Lohrei: high event when together; calmer when separated. Peeke steady, Callahan reliable.

* Arvidsson Goal: first as a Bruin; shoot-first mindset helps balance.

* Rumor note: External interest in Pavel Zacha exists; but the Bruins aren’t shopping him.

🗣️ Quotes & Vibes

* “Effort isn’t points. Protect the lead.”

* “Top guys need to be top guys—consistently.”

* “If you take five penalties, your best players aren’t scoring—they’re killing.”

📋 What Success Looks Like (Next 3–4 games)

* D-zone discipline: no two D below the goal line; cleaner exits; protect after-goal shifts.

* Special teams: +1 PP goal swings tight games; PK remains aggressive but efficient.

* Bench control: performance → minutes, not reputation.

🏒 Stick Taps

* Jeremy Swayman for a statement win.

* Victor Arvidsson for breaking the seal.

* Nikita Zadorov for edge-within-the-rules presence.

* TD Garden crowd for a heartfelt, three-minute Marchand ovation.

🚫 Penalty Box

* Turnovers and glide-bys in the D-zone.

* After-goal lapses and late-period concessions.

* Power play waste in one-goal games.

📅 The Week Ahead

* @ Senators: low-event style; bank points, avoid stick fouls.

* vs Islanders: high-event run-and-gun; manage rush D and net-front.

* vs Sabres: regaining form; win the special-teams battle.

* vs Hurricanes (Nov 1): schedule test; maximize points before a likely grind.

🛍️ Partner Plug

* OldGlory.com: Use code TAPETOTAPE for 15% off. Vintage tees, hockey gear, easy gifts; purchases help the pod.

🔮 Bottom Line

Boston proved they can tighten up against elite speed. Keep the defensive zone honest, cash one more PP per night, and let Swayman’s reset be the template—not the exception.

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