Defense corps stays stable
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
For all the movement among the team’s forward lines, the Bruins defensive pairings have remained unaltered this season.
Some of that has to do with Torey Krug being out with his ankle injury. It also has to do with the natural chemistry that comes from last season for nearly the entire group.
“We just went back to last year and dropped (John) Moore into his (Krug’s) spot,” said B’s coach Bruce Cassidy. “We decided to stick it out. After opening night, you’re on a bus ride from the rink to Dulles (airport) and you’re thinking of mixing everything up after that.”
The top pairing of Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy need not be touched, but the other two have question marks, especially with Brandon Carlo coming back from an injury and the off-chance Matt Grzelcyk didn’t make another leap this season.
But the young defender had shown something with Kevan Miller a year ago, and that allowed the Bruins to lay down a blueprint.
“(Grzelcyk) and Miller were a good pair last year,” said Cassidy. “So we talked about, should Carlo go with (Chara) or maybe Charlie, but those are all things that we could do later. That was the easiest move to make, and so far I think it’s worked out.”
Carlo’s seamless transition back into the lineup as he’s gotten healthier has made a positive impact as well and has allowed the team to leave things be.
“I feel pretty good,” said Carlo. “I feel like I’m skating pretty well and transitioning. I didn’t miss too much of a beat getting back, but there’s times in the morning after a long night’s sleep I feel it a little bit.”
Krug’s impending return with his three-week timetable fast approaching will create some ripple in the defense group. Since Grzelcyk has handled the power play well in Krug’s absence, it makes the decision all the more difficult.
Until that time, and while the offensive group continues to find itself, the luxury of the stable of blueliners staying the course has made things just a little bit easier.
Krug closing in
Krug might skate this week, according to Cassidy.
If he gets up to speed, he might join the team in Ottawa for the final game of the road trip, but he wouldn’t travel to western Canada to practice for games in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
“He’s progressing well,” said Cassidy. “If he gets on the ice at some point this week, that’s always a step in the right direction.”
Tuukka gets the call
Cassidy confirmed Tuukka Rask will start in goal against the Flames tonight and Jaroslav Halak in Edmonton tomorrow . . . .
After staying on with the Bruins for the first five games, winger Lee Stempniak was informed that the team won’t sign him from his professional tryout agreement.