Wait worth it as Lauzon makes NHL debut

The Bruins blue line depth was a strength heading into the season, and it’s already been tested plenty. Urho Vaakanainen’s injury, resulting in the suspension of Ottawa’s Mark Borowieki, forced the B’s to reach deeper into their defensive depth than they wanted in the first month of the season. Jeremy Lauzon was recalled for last night’s game against the Flyers, making his NHL debut opposite Steven Kampfer on the third pairing. The 21-year-old had four points with AHL Providence and is already on pace to shatter his seven from a year ago. “It’s what you’ve been waiting for all your life,” Lauzon said. “So just going to soak it in and try my best.” Lauzon was told he was recalled on Wednesday and was at Warrior Ice Arena for the start of yesterday’s morning skate. There are several defensive options at Providence — including former firstround pick Jakub Zboril and Harvard alum Wiley Sherman — but the Bruins thought Lauzon was the one ready to make the leap. “In exhibition games, I thought he showed better composure with the puck,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Which I anticipated, because that was an area last year they were working with. His compete level is high, we knew that. He closes well in the (defensive) zone, will help our penalty kill.” The 6-foot-3, 202-pound defender brings high energy and has shown the ability to put up points, posting 50 in 46 games with the Rouyn Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL in his draft year. “He gets after it,” Cassidy said. “Sometimes we have to reel him in a little bit.” He skated with the Canadian Under-20 team before getting a taste of pro hockey with Providence, where he showed flashes. He took a big leap this preseason with the B’s and his first couple of contests in the AHL. “At the end of the day he’s played well down there, and it’s his chance,” Cassidy said. “Off he goes.” Three outs Defenseman Charlie McAvoy was at Warrior Ice Arena yesterday morning but remains out with a hand injury. Forward David Backes also remains out with an upper body injury suffered at Edmonton. “He’s still out, he didn’t skate today or yesterday, so that’s the next progression, to get him back on the ice,” Cassidy said of Backes. “I don’t have a timeline for him or Charlie.” Kevan Miller will remain out for the next week as he recovers from a lower body injury suffered in Edmonton. The defenesman skated without a stick before the team practice yesterday morning.

Carlo steps up

With the defense corps struggling to stay on the ice, Brandon Carlo has emerged as a reliable option on the top pairing with Zdeno Chara, and a strong penalty killer. Carlo had some missteps early in the season, but his game picked up on the Canadian trip, particularly against Ottawa, and most notably with two goal-saving plays he made on the goal line. After suffering from an ankle injury last season, Carlo seems caught up to speed. “I think his last few (games) have been really good,” Cassidy said. “The whole body of work. I think he played almost 28 minutes the other night . . . . He seems to be more comfortable back with Z. Maybe there’s just more of a comfort level there.”