Irwin pots pair to dump Devils
PROVIDENCE — Many observers projected Matt Irwin to be the Bruins’ seventh defenseman when camp opened last week, and that may still be the case.
But the former UMass skater did what he could to change that perception in last night’s Bruins exhibition opener. Irwin scored two power-play goals and the B’s rode some good goaltending to a 2-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
On his first goal in the second period, Irwin pinched down from the left point and put home a nice feed from center Ryan Spooner. In the third, Irwin blasted in a slapper to give the B’s all the insurance they would need.
The game was a good first step forward for the former San Jose Sharks blueliner, who signed a one-year deal with the B’s in the offseason.
“That’s one of my strengths, to drop in the offense and create some opportunities, whether it’s for myself or for my teammates,” Irwin, who had a game-high eight shots on net, said. “Those shots, if I don’t score on them, at least we may get a second opportunity or a third.
“I was fortunate enough that they went in. But my job is to take care of my own end, move the puck up to the forwards and join the rush when the time presents itself.”
The backup goaltender competition got off to a very good start, as well. Veteran tryout Jonas Gustavsson (18 saves) and Jeremy Smith (12) combined for the shutout. Gustavsson was called upon to do more after the B’s got off to a rocky start. He made three quick saves in one sequence to keep the game scoreless.
“It was fun,” Gustavsson said. “They came out pretty hard. Obviously it was the first game for everyone so it took us maybe 10-12 minutes to settle down. But as a goalie that’s fun, to be involved right away. You’ve got to earn the confidence from the players. That’s something you build on in the practices and the games and all that. So it was big to get a good start here, not just for me but for everyone.”
Center Joonas Kemppainen also played a solid game, especially in the faceoff circle and on early penalty kills.
OK with Koko
Alexander Khokhlachev, the Bruins’ second-round draft pick in 2011 (40th overall), made some waves Saturday when he told reporters that he hasn’t been given a fair chance to make the NHL roster so far.
But yesterday, coach Claude Julien didn’t sound overly vexed about the comments.
“I don’t read too much into those kinds of things,” Julien said. “For him, he wants an opportunity, he’s going to get one. Whether he thinks he’s getting a fair one or not . . . I don’t think we’ve ever deprived anyone from getting a fair shot. We have to do our job in giving those guys a fair shot, and they’ve got to do their job in earning a fair shot.
“I liked how he played in the (AHL) playoffs last year. He was a real gritty player. . . . That doesn’t go unnoticed. But we’re starting here at camp ,so to me, it’s not about being given ultimatums, it’s more about going out there doing your job and giving guys a chance. That doesn’t go just for him, it goes for everybody. Everybody’s going to get a chance that deserves a chance.”
Khokhlachev has had two productive years in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. In his first full pro season in North America, he scored 21 goals and had 36 assists in 65 games, and last year, he had 15-28-43 totals in 61 games. In 17 playoff games in Providence over the last two years, he put up 11-6-17 numbers.
In a brief, three-game call-up last season, he didn’t make a mark, going scoreless and posting a minus-2.
“This is my last year of my contract,” Khokhlachev said Saturday. “I’m 22 already (as of Sept. 9). If they don’t give me the chance to play, why am I here? I will not play in Providence all my life.
“They told me ‘Just wait for your chance.’ I’m still waiting for it.”
Khokhlachev played pretty well against the Devils, skating mostly on a line with wingers Seth Griffith and Jake DeBrusk. The center picked up an assist on Irwin’s second goal. . . .
Griffith (lower body) did not play in the third period.
Pasta shakeup
David Pastrnak skated as the right winger with center Patrice Bergeron and left winger Brad Marchand in the second Garden practice session yesterday. Julien has said that could be a landing spot for the electric Czech.
“He’s got great speed and tremendous offensive instincts,” Bergeron said. “It was nice to have him and try to establish some chemistry with him.” . . .
Right winger Loui Eriksson, who skated with Khokhlachev in the first couple of camp sessions, was with center David Krejci and left winger Matt Beleskey.