Bruins season preview: Bergeron line needs help

The 2018-19 NHL season begins Oct. 3. With training camps open, NHL.com is taking a look at the five keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lines for all 31 teams. Today, the Boston Bruins.

Coach: Bruce Cassidy (third season)
Last season: 50-20-12; second place Atlantic Division, lost to Tampa Bay Lightning in Eastern Conference Second Round

5 KEYS

1. Balancing act

The biggest problem for the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season was that they became a one-line team. They had balance during the regular season, but in the postseason, they lived and died with the production of center Patrice Bergeron's line, and it wasn't enough.
Boston must decide whether to break up its top line of Bergeron between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak in hopes of recapturing that balance. It could move Pastrnak to the second line with center David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk, or keep one of the best lines in the NHL intact and find a suitable right wing for the second line. It's a tough call for coach Bruce Cassidy.

2. Top-six opening

The Bruins need to decide who will play right wing on the second line. It could be Pastrnak, or perhaps Danton Heinen, Anders Bjork or Ryan Donato. Whoever it is needs to make an impact so Boston doesn't fall back into the one-line trap. The Bruins hoped to sign forward Ilya Kovalchuk, but he signed a three-year, $18.75 million contract (average annual value $6.25 million) with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, leaving Boston's opening to internal competition.

3. Goals for goaltending

One of the reasons the Bruins signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a two-year, $5.5 million contract (AAV $2.75 million) on July 1 -- when the price got too high for former backup Anton Khudobin -- was to push No. 1 Tuukka Rask. They believe part of the reason Halak struggled last season was because of a subpar New York Islanders penalty kill. But Boston needs Rask to sparkle, and its defense needs to bolster him. He has the potential to be one of the best in the NHL when he's on his game, as evidenced by his 21-game point streak last season. The Bruins need more of that to continue to be a Stanley Cup contender.

4. Second-season slump?

Last season, the Bruins used six rookies for at least 30 games apiece, relying heavily on Heinen, DeBrusk and defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk. Boston is likely to add a couple more young players, with Donato, 22, on the cusp and an opening at third-line center. The Bruins have a solid veteran core but one that is also getting younger fast, putting a lot of pressure on their second-year players. They proved they could handle that pressure last season and will have to replicate that in 2018-19.

5. Krejci's revival

Krejci expressed some disappointment in the Bruins' handling of the John Tavares free agency situation, with Boston not informing the 32-year-old center it was pursuing the marquee name on the market. Tavares eventually signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Krejci can stand to make a bigger impact this season to lessen the blow of watching Tavares play for an Atlantic Division rival. Krejci had 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) in 64 games in 2017-18, and his line did not produce in the postseason.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut

The biggest battle in training camp will be for the final spot among the top six forwards. Five of the spots appear set, with Marchand and Bergeron taking their usual place on the top line, and DeBrusk and Krejci slotted into the second line. Pastrnak will be the fifth, but it remains to be seen whether he will be the right wing on Bergeron's line, where he played last season, or on Krejci's, where he was intended to play last season. Who will be the other right wing in the top six? Will it be Donato? Bjork? Heinen? Time will tell.

Most intriguing addition

The Bruins are hoping Halak provides not only steady support for Rask but also a push to their top goaltender. Rask was 34-14-5 last season with a 2.36 goals-against-average and .917 save percentage, numbers not close to his best (2.04, .930 in 2013-14, when he won the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL). Boston would love to see more from Rask and hopes Halak can do his part to help.

Biggest potential surprise

The third-line center winner. Assuming the Bruins opt to go with a rookie, they will choose between Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Trent Frederic and Jack Studnicka, none older than 21. Each offers something different and will have a chance to prove his worth. Forsbacka Karlsson has the best combination of readiness and two-way play, with his high-end skill and comparisons to Bergeron. The other two bring different dimensions but could have an important impact for Boston, which needs quality depth.

Ready to break through

Donato, who had nine points (five goals, four assists) in 12 games for the Bruins in his debut at the end of last season, seemed to be everywhere this summer -- at the Foxboro Pro League, at Bruins events, in rookie camp, in China, on ice seemingly at all times, all in a bid to ensure he will be a key contributor this season. For Boston, which is in search of scoring outside its top line, Donato could fill the bill; he has the skill, work ethic and desire.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Danton Heinen
Jake DeBrusk -- David Krejci -- David Pastrnak
Ryan Donato -- Trent Frederic -- David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom -- Sean Kuraly -- Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara -- Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug -- Brandon Carlo
John Moore -- Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak