Kuraly sticks to basics
Chin-bloodied penalty changes course of game
Sean Kuraly made a big impact on the Bruins’ 7-4 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, and he did it the hard way.
Kuraly notched the first Gordie Howe hat trick of his career. He fought John Hayden in the first period before assisting on Noel Acciari’s shorthanded goal, and then finished the trick off with an empty-net goal at the end.
But his biggest contribution might have been being in the right place at the right time, if you think getting whacked in the chin with a high stick constitutes that.
With the score tied 4-4 in the third period, Kuraly took the blade of Patrick Kane’s stick to the face. It sliced him up, and he was still oozing blood after the game, but Kane was dealt a double minor. On the first power play, Brian Gionta scored what turned out to be the game-winner, and on the second man-advantage Rick Nash added an insurance goal.
“You feel good when they score on the power play, that’s for sure, and to get two on that power play feels really good,” Kuraly said. “Obviously it’s nothing really that I did. When you take a high stick like that, it’s not really drawing a penalty. Really, it’s just being there. But gladly, you’ll take it.”
Coach Bruce Cassidy wasn’t thrilled with the fourth line’s play in the B’s 3-2 win against Philadelphia on Thursday, something he’s rarely said this year. They were simply not hard to play against.
“Atypical” was how Cassidy described their game against the Flyers. He spoke to the trio — Kuraly, Acciari and Tim Schaller — at practice on Friday. It looked like they got the message.
“We weren’t happy with the last few games we played,” Kuraly said. “I think it was just about all of us getting on the same page and kind of taking what he said and making sure we made the most of it. We know that it’s important for us to be on for the team, and we have to do our part if we want to keep winning games.”
Haven’t missed a beat
The B’s are 6-0 since Patrice Bergeron left the lineup with a broken foot. His linemates, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, still are flying high, and his replacement, Riley Nash, has three goals and five assists in that stretch. Nash deflected credit.
“I don’t know if we want to use the word satisfied, because that would mean that we’re content with how it’s going, but it’s been nice to see,” Nash said. “I didn’t feel all that much pressure on myself to step up and be the one guy to fill the void because I knew that wasn’t going to happen, so I knew there were other guys who would do it.
“(Tommy) Wingels stepped up one game and had a goal and an assist. (David Krejci’s) line has been good since Rick (Nash) has come aboard. (Jake DeBrusk) has done a real good job. Our fourth line’s been solid all year, and they just do what they do every night. It’s been by committee. Our (defensemen) have been chipping in lately, too, with Torey (Krug) having a couple of goals lately . . . . It’s been nice that everyone’s been able to pitch in.”
Unpleasant job
After playing well Thursday, Adam McQuaid was scratched in favor of Nick Holden, who played on the right side while being paired with Krug. Cassidy is grateful for the depth, but scratching capable players is not his favorite part of the job.
“I don’t enjoy that, but it is what it is,” Cassidy said. “The players, after a while, if they’re not in the lineup when they’re healthy, they’re probably going to be upset about it. How they conduct themselves is what we’re looking at. I accept that the players will be disappointed, upset. But you can’t show it outwardly in the room. It’s just part of being a good pro and a good teammate.
“I think all our guys have done a terrific job with that. I’m always thankful for that. It’s a good problem to have. Some teams would have to dip down to the minor league system . . . but now we’ve got guys that have a little bit more of a resume up here that we can plug. I think it’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to stay the course here, especially the last five games.”
Holden deftly kept the puck in the zone on Gionta’s game-winner.
Boot-strapped
It’s been two weeks since Bergeron suffered a broken foot in Toronto, and the club’s statement at the time said he’d be re-evaluated in two weeks. Cassidy did not have an update but said Bergeron likely will not accompany the team on its four-game road trip starting today in Chicago. Bergeron was seen without his crutches for the first time yesterday but still was in a walking boot . ...
The Bruins signed University of Wisconsin forward Cameron Hughes to a three-year entry level contract that will kick in next season. Hughes will join the Providence B’s on an amateur tryout deal.
Hughes was drafted in the sixth round by the B’s (165th overall) in 2015. The Badgers captain had eight goals and 14 assists in 37 games as a senior.