DeBrusk’s dirty work helps Spooner score
Jake DeBrusk did not show up on the score sheet yesterday, He didn’t even record a shot on net. But the rookie was a big reason why the Bruins earned a point in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.
With the Bruins trailing 2-1 in the third period, DeBrusk was in a battle for body position with defenseman Esa Lindell at the top of the crease when Ryan Spooner flipped a long shot on net. It bounced off goalie Kari Lehtonen and Lindell — tied up with DeBrusk — before it eventually crept over the goal line for the equalizer. It was Spooner’s fifth goal of the season.
“Well, they credited it to (Spooner), but I swear I felt it. I swear it went off my arm. I’m happy for Spoons, though. He owes me one,” DeBrusk said with a laugh. “But in saying that, no, there was not a lot of space out there, and (David Krejci) was making really good plays, and there were rebounds around that slot area, so I knew I had to get there, and I knew I had to fight through.”
DeBrusk is capable of scoring some pretty goals, like the bardown jobs he scored on Carey Price in Montreal on Saturday night. But DeBrusk’s game is equal parts sandpaper, and it’s his job to get to the front of the net to create those rather homely goals.
“When I’m going to the net, driving to the net, it opens up space for the other guys,” DeBrusk said. “Going back to the beginning of the year, my mindset was to recover pucks and go to the net and hopefully get some garbage ones. A game like tonight, they were playing tight and they were up by one, so there’s not a lot of room out there. So it’s got to be a greasy goal, and I’m glad we capitalized. But at the same time, I think I can do more of that and cause more distractions in front of the net.”
All grown up
With his overtime winner, Tyler Seguin added to his good numbers against his former team, improving to five goals and three assists in nine contests. But beyond those offensive numbers, coach Ken Hitchcock seems to bring the best out of Seguin as a more committed 200-foot player.
Asked about his Seguin’s “test” against the Patrice Bergeron line, Hitchcock lauded his superstar.
“I think he’s done testing,” Hitchcock said. “I think he has made himself into a very good player, and he’s accountable in every situation. He’s really matured. I think he’s a guy that we don’t even worry about anymore. Everyone talked about, ‘Can you make him a (No. 1 center)?’
“Well, quite frankly he’s a one, and he’s playing like a one. He’s played six games in a row like this, and this is what you want in a No.1 center. He’s doing the job. He’s killing penalties, he’s out there taking key faceoffs (12-for-21 yesterday), he’s quarterbacking the power play, and he’s playing against the other team’s best player. To me, that’s what a one does, and that’s exactly what he’s been doing.”
Seguin conceded it still means something coming back Boston.
“It’s special and it’s weird playing here still,” Seguin said. “I enjoy the anthem, looking up at the banners of teams I was a part of, so it’s always going to be special playing here and having old teammates on the team. I’m also happy to only come here once a year.”
Captain shines
He might not fit in the league’s 3-on-3 format for the All-Star Game, but captain Zdeno Chara had another All-Star performance yesterday. He got the B’s on the board with a monster slap shot and also killed 3:21 of shorthanded time, including the entire third-period penalty to Brad Marchand . . . .
It was the first time in six games the line of Bergeron, Marchand and David Pastrnak finished with zero points . . . .
Jason Spezza, who has not scored in 14 games and has no points in his past five, was a healthy scratch for the Stars.