Next man up not Bergeron
Cassidy asks team to play through adversity
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Patrice Bergeron still was out of action last night as the Bruins faced the Coyotes, and coach Bruce Cassidy basically wanted the rest of his players to put the centerman’s absence out of their minds.
“Right now, it’s ‘Listen, he’s not in, next man up,’ ” Cassidy said before the B’s 6-2 thrashing of Arizona. “I know it sounds simple. But we’ve got other guys in that locker room that have to get hungry and respond to the challenge of, ‘Hey, I’m getting the chance to play key minutes.’
“That’s what we’re asking for. We got some of that the other night; were asking for more.”
The Bruins will not have a morning skate today in Las Vegas, before facing the Golden Knights in a 4:05 p.m. local start. So it seems very doubtful Bergeron will return for that game.
That means Bergeron will have missed five games going into Thursday’s Garden date with the Canucks.
In-creased action
After a season in which he wasn’t good for the first half (a 1-5-1 record up to Christmas), but bounced back to play well in the final months (6-1-0), Anton Khudobin made a strong statement when he stopped all nine shots he faced in the third period of Monday’s loss in Denver.
The more important earlyseason test for the 31-yearold backup goalie came last night, and he passed with flying colors and 29 saves.
“I saw him play very well in the preseason against Detroit and Chicago, his camp (has) been good, and he went in the other night and played well,” Cassidy said. “I expect him to be good.
“We need good games out of that position, whether you’re the starter or the backup. We’re asking him to do his part, no more. And we’ve got to play well in front of him, score some goals.”
Mixing up the lines
Cassidy shook up the under-producing third line as Austin Czarnik opened at right wing with Frank Vatrano a scratch. Ryan Spooner remains the line’s center. Czarnik was likely to see time at center, too, perhaps on the top line with David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand.
“If he’s pursuing pucks, he’s a very good player with a high motor,” Cassidy said of Czarnik. “Playing with Spooner, it is someone you can play give-and-go hockey with, with (Matt) Beleskey getting to the net on the other wing.
“I would like to see (Spooner) attack more and take charge of that line. He’s been in the league a while now. But that whole line he’s been on, we need more production from them going forward.”
Back on his skates
Defenseman Kevan Miller, who left practice after being struck on the right knee by a Vatrano shot, was ready to go last night.
“It was just a good dinger initially. The first couple of minutes were tough. But then after that, it was fine. It’s kind of a common injury for guys taking a shot there. But after a couple of minutes walking around, it goes away.” . . .
The Bruins seem pleased with the efforts of rugged winger Ryan White, who is with them this week on a professional tryout basis.
“We’ve got to make a decision (on signing or releasing White) sometime next week,” said Cassidy. “That was our time frame. Look at our team, look at him and see if there’s a fit.”
Lots with a little guy
Former Boston University star Clayton Keller, Arizona’s first-round pick (seventh overall), is off to a terrific start with three goals and an assist in four games.
What makes a kid who is just 5-foot-10 and 168 pounds so special?
“His determination,” said Phoenix coach Rick Tocchet. “A lot of his goals are right around the net. He’s not scared. He gets banged around out there, but he’s like a little top — he just gets back up and into the play. I love that about him. He’s not intimidated.
“When you’re a kid of his size, and quick, and you’re not intimidated — like a Marchand — you can be effective in this league. He has great skills and he’s very calm with the puck. He can make plays. He wants the puck and he wants to be out there.”