Viktor Arvidsson contributed everything that the Bruins loved to their roster this season.
The love was reflected in the outcomes as well. Arvidsson’s presence in the Bruins’ lineup also made them a significantly superior squad overall. And it wasn’t an exaggeration. Without Arvidsson in their lineup this season, the Bruins went 3-7-3, but with Arvidsson available, they had a 39-13-4 record.
As a result, something truly terrible must have occurred in order for the Bruins to continue without Arvidsson as they did for the majority of Game 4, and then completely without him for Games 5 and 6.
At breakup day, Arvidsson, who would have attempted to return in a Game 7, disclosed that he had a broken rib and a small lung perforation. It was sad, but part of the game, as it was difficult to recover so fast.
Although it’s conceivable that Arvidsson was already dealing with some bumps and bruises, the proverbial kill-shot for his availability in this series came in the first period of Game 4, when Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson hit him in the corner to the left of Alex Lyon’s net.
With Arvidsson on the right of Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha, the Bruins certainly lost the engine and driver of that unexpectedly powerful second line. Additionally, after Arvidsson left the lineup, the Bruins tried all sorts of things in the next two games on their way to being knocked out in the first round last Friday night, but that second line never solidified.
In a season where Arvidsson surpassed all expectations, scoring 25 goals and 54 points in 69 games for the Bruins, it was a devastating blow.
“I believe that [Arvidsson] delivered precisely what I was looking for,” Bruins head coach Marco Sturm stated of the seasoned winger. He didn’t let me down. He hasn’t altered in the slightest. He was a major leader, not only on the ice but in this room as well. [Don Sweeney] is aware of it, and he also observes that we are constantly speaking.
Since the 33-year-old is an impending unrestricted free agent, the Bruins and Arvidsson must now determine if they can reach an agreement on a new deal.
