Pair battle for Carlo’s blue-line spot
SUNRISE, Fla. — With Brandon Carlo out for the season, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is down to seven healthy defensemen on whom he can reasonably rely on when the playoffs start.
But only six will play once the postseason begins, and Carlo’s spot is still up for grabs.
On Tuesday, Nick Holden,
playing his weak side, got the chance to take over Carlo’s spot next to Torey Krug
and it was a mixed bag. He wasn’t able to clear a bouncing puck out from the crease on Tampa Bay’s third goal that sealed the B’s fate.
Last night, it was Adam McQuaid’s shot to play with Krug as Holden sat.
“Adam’s played with Torey. Obviously, we’re trying to find the right fit there. We like the (Matt Grzelcyk) (Kevan) Miller (pair), we like the (Zdeno) Chara-(Charlie) McAvoy (pair.) It doesn’t mean we wouldn’t go in a different direction, but that’s the one we’re trying to sort out obviously with Carlo out. I think Adam played well the other day against Florida,” said Cassidy.
In the 17 games since coming over from the Rangers, Holden, who has more offense in his toolbox than McQuaid, had assists in his first four games as a Bruin — but has just a goal and a minus-5 rating in the 13 games since. McQuaid, one of six current B’s who were on the Stanley Cup team of 2011, has 1-2-3 totals and is minus-1 in 35 games while missing two months with a broken fibula early in the season, but brings a level of toughness and a certain shot-blocking masochism to the table.
Players are always under a microscope, but each game almost seems like a tryout for McQuaid and Holden, given the situation. McQuaid was trying not to think about it like that.
“You want to play well. And with the depth, you know guys can play,” he said. “You just go out and hopefully play well and just be focused on that.
Center of attention
With centers Riley Nash and Sean Kuraly both out,
Noel Acciari has been getting some time in the middle. Aside for some rough rides in the faceoff circle — he went 0-for-9 on the dot last Saturday — he’s played pretty well.
Last night he was slated to center a heavy third line between Tim Schaller and
David Backes.
“It’s felt good. The toughest thing for me right now is just faceoffs and getting back into the swing of things. But my wingers will help me with that and it’ll be good,” said Acciari. “The more draws you take, the more used to it you get, so I’ve been trying to do more of them in practice.”
Playing in the middle doesn’t present as many chances for Acciari to blow up opponents with thunderous hits as he’s been known to do.
“I’m more of a controlled hitter, more down low in the (defensive) zone. If I have to close on a puck, I try to take the body and hopefully they cough up the puck, the (defense) will pick up the puck and we’ll be out of he zone,” said Acciari
Not known for his hands, Acciari has nonetheless popped in nine goals this year, including a pretty one in Philadelphia on Sunday. Reaching double digits is not a high priority, though.
“Goals are fun to get and they help the team, but right now I just have to stick to the things that got me nine goals, just keep getting pucks to the net,” said Acciari. “I’m not going to change much. It would be nice but it’s not something I’d be upset about (if he didn’t get to 10). I just have to continue my game and keep helping the team.”
For the first time in his NHL career, Acciari dropped the gloves last Saturday when he fought MacKenzie Weegar and seemed to surprise the Panther with a steady stream of lefts.
“I definitely have that in my bag. I’m going to keep throwing the hits and I’m not going to shy away if someone challenges me. If it happens it happens, and I’ll be ready for it,” said Acciari.
Acciari credits his prowess from having two brothers, one older and one younger.
“My older brother is seven years older than me and we would have some good battles, but my younger brother, he could take a lot and he’s a tough kid because of it,” said Acciari. “It could go either way. It could be 2-on-1, the younger and the older against me, but I won my fair share.” ...
Tommy Wingels (hand) skated in the morning but was held out for another game. Back in Boston, Rick Nash skated for the third consecutive day, which has to be considered a good sign as he tries to come back from an upper body injury.
Cassidy expected Nash to take part in the morning skate tomorrow. Sean Kuraly
(upper body) and Riley Nash
(ear gash) remained off the ice, however.