B’s have 2nd thoughts
Cassidy mulls changes to scoreless Krejci line
Bruce Cassidy isn’t one to sit on his hands for too long.
The Bruins coach realizes it would be a little crazy to mess with the first line right now. The fourth was very good in the 6-3 win over the Senators on Monday as well. The third line showed just enough promise to get another look-see, at least for tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
But the second line of David Krejci with Jake DeBrusk and Ryan Donato? Well, that could use some tinkering, even if it’s only to get the players’ attention. The unit has not cracked the scoreboard this season (Krejci’s only point came during a line change on a David Pastrnak goal in Buffalo) and it was minus-2 in Monday’s home opener.
In practice yesterday, Cassidy alternated Joakim Nordstrom in at Donato’s right wing spot, indicating he might make the switch tonight.
“Until we get ourselves to where we firmly believe it’s lines 1 through 4, we’re probably going to move people around and keep it competitive, so to speak,” Cassidy said. “There’s a pretty good chance Nordy will go in (tonight). If he has to play on the line, that’s fine. He’s been in a skill position in the past. He’ll be a good, solid, responsible player there. And maybe Ryan comes out. Part of that is just understanding the details of the game and what’s needed every night. We did that with every young player last year. That would be no different.”
No matter which players are in the lineup, Cassidy wants to see some simplification to the unit’s game, especially this time of year.
“I think they’re turning down too many opportunities to throw stuff at the net, see what happens,” Cassidy said. “A good example is the last two goals (Patrice Bergeron’s) line scores. Bergy throws one at the net, but there’s net drive, (Brad Marchand’s) in the high slot. It rattles off (Cody Ceci) and goes in. The next goal is Pasta driving to the net, he gets there and it’s a tap-in. Marchy again has inside position in the slot.
“It’s about getting back to the basics, generating shots to create anxiety. So what comes first, the puck to the net or people to the net? We’re trying to do both obviously. So the conversation with Krech was that right now, guys have lots of energy. Guys are flying around, so the turn-up plays aren’t there as much because guys are back-checking harder. So if you get an opportunity, straight lines and get it to the net. Things sort themselves out. Maybe in six weeks, things sort themselves out and maybe you can play the style you’re accustomed to.”
Whether or not Donato pays the price for the line’s ineffectiveness, Krejci took the entire responsibility for the unit’s failure so far.
“I feel like there’s nothing to it. It starts with me,” Krejci said. “I’m the guy who drives the bus, and we had a really bad game last game. I take full responsibility on that. Jake always has his legs. (Donato’s) been good on the puck, strong. Yeah, there are some things we have to address as a line defensively, but at the same time, it’s on me. I had a bad game and I have to get my feet moving. I have to make my linemates better.”
Despite Cassidy’s notes, Krejci does not think he has to make major changes to his game to be effective. He just has to play better.
“I don’t have to adjust anything. I just have to play my game and I haven’t done that,” Krejci said. “Obviously (the loss to) Washington was a bad game, but there was some good signs, so we need to build off our good stuff. Obviously we didn’t. But it’s all on me. I wouldn’t read too much into it. If I play well, my line plays well. If I don’t, they don’t. It’s on me.”
Krejci doesn’t think a linemate switch will change anything unless he comes to play.
“People have been talking for a while about me getting linemates. I doesn’t really matter,” he said. “As long as I bring my ‘A’ game. As long as I do, I’ll make the people around me better. I haven’t done that in these three games. Everything comes back to me. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I expect to be better. Those three games are behind me. I’ll be ready (tonight).”