Youth movement slows
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
The Bruins’ season opener could not have gone better for the team’s three prized rookies, Anders Bjork, Jake DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy, who all got on the scoresheet in a win against the Nashville Predators.
Yesterday’s second game was a sobering dose of reality for the kids.
Both Bjork and DeBrusk finished with a minus-3 in the 4-0 loss to Colorado and wound up getting dropped to different bottom-six lines by coach Bruce Cassidy in the second period. McAvoy was a minus-2 on defense.
“(Yesterday) was an example of how things can go south really quick,” DeBrusk said.
Bjork and DeBrusk were on the ice together for the first goal of the game when Sven Andrighetto was left alone in the high slot. They were also on for the second goal, a shorthanded tally.
“I’ll watch the film again, but I think I was a little timid at certain times with the puck,” DeBrusk said. “I think I need to be more aggressive, letting loose and doing what I was doing. That’s where I can have success in this league. You don’t want to take any shift for granted. I’ll look at the film and watch some things, but as I’m watching I can usually figure out what I should have done here or there. And obviously clean up the power play. That was a big thing for us (yesterday), the power play, and just certain things defensively.
“Coming back in the zone and just picking up guys and communicating with linemates I think that was where they got us (yesterday). If it wasn’t for (goalie Tuukka Rask) it could have been worse.”
As for dropping down in the lineup, DeBrusk said he’s already used to it.
“It happened in the preseason twice and I think (Cassidy) switched up all lines to be honest. You’ve just got to move forward and stay mentally strong,” he said. “I want to play with Krech as much a possible, I think anyone on this team does. But we needed a goal and he wanted to change things up. Unfortunately it didn’t work out tonight. I think as the game progressed we started to get some chances with the different line combinations. It’s just one of those things where that’s how the coach does it.
“I’ve had coaches that keep lines together and coaches that change them. I’m kind of used to it and no matter what line you’re on, you’re here to help the team win. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really help the team (yesterday).”
Krug in action
Torey Krug returned to action for the first time since suffering a broken jaw in his first preseason game. There was some expected rust, though he played a team-high 21:56, a second longer than fellow defenseman Zdeno Chara.
“I felt OK,” Krug said. “I felt good in the first (period). The power play, I just felt like I was doing down and backs the whole time until we got some sustained pressure. And the third we were playing catch-up, trying to join every rush, which can be difficult at times. It felt OK for the first game in six months.” . . .
Patrice Bergeron missed a second game with a lower-body injury. Cassidy said the team is taking advantage of the light schedule the league has afforded the B’s in the early going.
“It’s day-to-day,” Cassidy said. “We want to be cautious. We don’t want him to be chasing it all year, so let’s give him the appropriate amount of time. As you know, that could change if the urgency level goes up. We know that. We’re not trying to hide anything here. He’s not 100 percent, he doesn’t feel ready so we’re going to give him the time that’s needed.”
Grzelcyk ships out
With the return of Krug, Matt Grzelcyk was sent to Providence of the AHL after playing the opener. Cassidy had a lot of positive things to say about the defenseman.
“He moved the puck, stayed out of trouble, good decisions with it, defended well. No issues,” Cassidy said. “No one enjoys going down obviously but he should be going down in a good frame of mind knowing he can play at this level. ... It was one game, but I do believe he made some good strides.” . . .
Forwards David Backes (diverticulitis) and Noel Acciari (broken finger) were placed on injured reserve.