Boston Bruins fantasy preview for 2020-21

As part of NHL.com's 31 in 31 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Boston Bruins. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

David Pastrnak, RW -- He tied Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals for the NHL lead in goals last season. Pastrnak has four straight seasons of at least 34 goals and also ranked third in the League in power-play points (led Bruins with 38) behind Edmonton Oilers forwards Leon Draisaitl (44) and Connor McDavid (43), was tied with Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers for third in points (95) behind Draisaitl (110) and McDavid (97), and finished fifth in SOG (279). Pastrnak (hip surgery) could miss the start of the season but is still worth selecting in the mid-to-late second round of any fantasy draft.
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Brad Marchand, LW -- Ranks fifth in the NHL in points (272 in 217 games) over the past three regular seasons. He led the Bruins in assists last season (59) by a wide margin (Pastrnak was second with 47) and had their second-best plus/minus (plus-25) behind defenseman Zdeno Chara (plus-26). Marchand (sports hernia surgery) is expected to join the Bruins at training camp and worth selecting in the first or second round of any fantasy draft.
Tuukka Rask, G -- He is ranked third among fantasy goalies behind Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and is entering his contract season (potential 2021 unrestricted free agent). Rask, who led the League in save percentage (.929) among goalies who played more than 30 games last season, should be taken a round or two later than Vasilevskiy and handcuffed with reliable backup Jaroslav Halak, who's attainable right around the top 100 overall.
Patrice Bergeron, C -- He is tied for 18th in the NHL in points per game (1.04) over the past three seasons and is a fixture with Pastrnak and Marchand on the top line and first power play. Bergeron, who ranked second on the Bruins in goals (31) behind Pastrnak (48) last season, consistently produces shots on goal (seven straight seasons of at least 200), PPP (at least 20 in four of past five seasons) and plus/minus (three straight seasons of plus-21 or better).

Charlie McAvoy, D -- He has a chance to take the next step in fantasy after Torey Krug left the Bruins to sign with the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 9. McAvoy, who covers hits (1.9 per game in NHL career), could join the upper echelon of fantasy defensemen if he seizes the coveted first power-play spot with exposure to Bergeron, Pastrnak and Marchand. McAvoy is ranked behind his former teammate Krug (56) in fantasy entering this season but should improve his points-per-game average (0.50) and score at least 50-55 points this season with a ceiling of finishing in the top 10-15 at the position.
Jake DeBrusk, LW/RW -- He scored an NHL career-high 27 goals in 68 games in 2018-19 but took a step back last season (19 goals in 65 games). He has yet to reach his full potential through three NHL seasons, especially in the postseason (23 points in 49 games). But with Pastrnak and Marchand each expected to miss time, DeBrusk could start the season on Bergeron's wing and become a fantasy steal with power-play exposure to the Bruins' top liners once the unit is back at full strength.
Other players to consider in later rounds or off waiver wire:Jaroslav Halak, G; David Krejci, C; Craig Smith, RW; Matt Grzelcyk, D; Ondrej Kase, RW
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