The cynics are going to be out in full force between now and the next time the Bruins score a goal (will it be before Thanksgiving?).

On the same night the Bruins were shut out by Detroit and saw their scoreless streak reach six periods, Boston's leading goal scorer from last season fired 10 shots on net and drew numerous loud cheers in debuting for his new team. Phil Kessel didn't score in Toronto's 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa Bay (he was a minus-1), but he was obviously a threat five months after major shoulder surgery.

As sharp as their pitchforks might be, those ready to riot because of the confluence of Boston's bitter scoring drought and Kessel's return to duty really don't have a case. Even without Kessel, this Bruins team should have enough offensive skill to score at least a couple of goals in a six-period stretch.

Problem is, the likes of Marco Sturm, David Krejci and Mark Recchi, to name a few, aren't living up to their advance billing. Even some full-strength and power-play personnel juggling didn't start the Bruins' offensive engine. One could expect to find sawdust instead of sticks on the rack at Bruins practice the way these guys are pressing.

Obviously, the Bruins have to give their new line combinations a few games before passing judgment. Home dates with Montreal (Thursday) and Buffalo -- two teams playing a more open style than the Bruins' two previous opponents (the Rangers and Red Wings) -- might help Boston's ailments. But if we're taking bets on who will score the next Bruins goal by this time Saturday, the next step will have to be roster moves.

General manager Peter Chiarelli could delve into trades, free agency and the waiver wire. Adding Brendan Shanahan at his age and current capabilities likely won't fix things. This early in the season, even slow-starting teams aren't going to trade a valuable piece, as everyone is still trying to salvage this season. So the pickings should be slim.

With Brad Marchand and Vladimir Sobotka already called up, there's not much to choose from in Providence. Large forward Mikko Lehtonen might look nice streaking down the wing. Zach Hamill might bring better playmaking, but it would be foolish for the Bruins to throw one of their best prospects into a high-pressure situation like this.

Of course, the Bruins might have an offensive boost right on their own roster. Seventh defenseman Johnny Boychuk possesses one of the league's hardest shots and held his own in his brief stint filling in for Dennis Wideman last month. Even if it means coach Claude Julien's dressing seven blueliners -- a move he mostly has avoided as Boston's coach -- getting Boychuk in the lineup might be a way to light a fire under this team. No knock on Boychuk, whom I believe to be a capable third-pair defenseman. But the fact that inserting him in the lineup to spark the offense is even being bandied about says something about the Bruins' current state of affairs.

Maybe Boston should petition Montreal to give Carey Price the start in goal Thursday night. That tends to perk up the Bruins' offense.

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