B’s ‘not getting effort required’ from DeBrusk
Winger sits against Islanders
Jake DeBrusk‘s spiraling struggles have finally led to what had increasingly seemed like an inevitable move from the Bruins’ coaching staff.
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
When the B’s communications staff tweeted out the forward lines and defense pairs for Tuesday’s night’s game against the New York Islanders, it did not come as much of a surprise that DeBrusk’s name was nowhere to be found.
When you score one goal in 17 games, a healthy scratch can be expected. And it was hardly a snap decision.
“We’ve tried different angles with Jake,” said coach Bruce Cassidy after the morning skate. “He’s met one-on-one with myself, he’s met with coaches one-on-one — Joe (Sacco) and Jay (Pandolfo) — he’s met with lines, he’s talked to some of the veteran guys. At the end of the day, we’re not quite getting out of Jake what we want. Some of that is circumstantial and situational. He’s moved around, been hurt. His center he’s played (David Krejci) with in the past has been hurt. But I still feel he’s been given ice time to perform to the best of his ability.
“We just feel we’re not getting the effort required. It’s not always about the scoresheet. It’s about being one of 20 guys to help you win. Some nights it’s there and some nights it’s not. Again, we’ve tried different messaging with the player. Sometimes going upstairs and taking a look is not a bad way to go and put a different perspective on it. You have a better appreciation of being in there and maybe educating yourself on things you see from up top that you see maybe a little easier than you would in live action. At the end of the day, he’s not the first person that’s been scratched and he won’t be the last. But we want to make him a better player in the long run and this is the avenue we’re going to take today and sort it out on Thursday when the Rangers are in town.”
The Bruins desperately need the type of scoring DeBrusk can and has provided in the past. But whether he can do it by moving up and down in the lineup and occasionally over to the right wing remains to be seen. When DeBrusk posted his 27-goal season in 2018-19 season, he was pretty much glued to Krejci’s left side all season.
But right now it appears Nick Ritchie has a fairly solid hold on that spot, even if he did get moved to the fourth line in the third period of the B’s shutout loss to New Jersey on Sunday. Perhaps DeBrusk could find a home on Charlie Coyle‘s left wing, but with Trent Frederic there right now, it gives the B’s a heavy, grinding line that can wear teams down.
Finding the best spot for DeBrusk may become even more difficult when and if Ondrej Kase returns. Kase had been a big part of the B’s plans, the long sought after right wing for Krejci.
But he suffered what was believed to be a concussion (he arrived from Anaheim with a history of head injuries) in the second game of the season and hasn’t played since. Lately he’s been ramping up his workouts with skating coach Kim Branvold, though he hasn’t yet joined the team for practice.
And as the trade season approaches (the deadline is April 12), the B’s must identify their biggest need — a forward who can provide secondary scoring or help for their currently injuryriddled defense.
Which way DeBrusk’s game goes from here will go a long way toward determining that.
Rask stays back
Tuukka Rask did not make the trip to Long Island. When last seen, Rask was clutching his lower back and struggling to get to the bench late in Sunday’s loss to the Devils. Cassidy said it was just a matter of a little rest and not making Rask take the two flights to New York and back. Cassidy did not think it was serious.
“I don’t, no. It’s just managing a little maintenance for him, save a trip. Simple as that,” said Cassidy.
Jaroslav Halak was scheduled to start in Uniondale anyway.
“We feel really comfortable with Jar in the net,” said Krejci. “He’s been in the league a long time and especially the last couple of years he’s been with us he’s been really good. We feel like we have two really good goaltenders. For us, it doesn’t matter who’s in the net. Tuuks is one of the best, but Jaro’s not far behind.”
Bruins goaltending prospect Daniel Vladar will serve as Halak’s backup.
Kuraly back in the lineup
After being scratched for two games, Sean Kuraly was reinserted into the lineup by Cassidy to center a fourth line between Anders Bjork and Chris Wagner. Jack Studnicka moved up to play on Krejci’s right wing.
What’s expected of Kuraly?
“Just play his game,” said Cassidy. “He’s a proud guy. Work hard on his faceoffs. He’s probably going to be matched up against good players because he starts in our end probably 80% of the time. Bring some energy, which he typically does. That’s not his problem. It’s just managing the puck a little better. He’s had some games where decisionmaking could be better. It happens to every player. That was another one of the messages. You don’t have to force a play every time. … I think he’s been thinking a little bit instead of just reacting and playing. That’s what we hope to get from him. I’m sure we will. I’m sure he’ll forecheck well, kill penalties well. It’s just his puck play as the centerman, (he has to) drive that line and make a good decision with it and his wings can feed off him.”