Bertuzzi makes a solid debut
Winger picks up assist on B's first goal
Tyler Bertuzzi played his first game as a Bruin on Saturday and first as a linemate of Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic.
But late in the first period, the trio demonstrated some hand-inglove chemistry, basic though it may have been.
Bertuzzi dumped the puck into the far corner for Frederic to track down while Bertuzzi came around behind the net. Frederic shoveled the puck back to Bertuzzi, who made a perfect pass to Coyle out front for the 1-0 lead. The B’s, who would never trail in the 4-2 victory over the Rangers, were on their way.
Whether that line stays together or not, it certainly looked like it had a chance to be a real presence.
“Those two guys made me look good tonight on the end of the things,” said Coyle. “Just their forecheck, Freddy being a big body like he is and the vision and playmaking ability of Bertuzzi. That was great to get that going right away, when you’re the new guy and he’s trying to get acclimated and probably overthinking things. It didn’t look like it tonight, but I know how that is. But to capitalize right away, that can definitely help him, to settle him down and get more comfortable. It gives you that good feeling and confidence. That’s something we build on and focus on if that’s a line going forward. But those are two pretty good guys to play with. I won’t be complaining.”
While Bertuzzi, obtained on Thursday from the Red Wings, had a 30-goal season last year, he showed off some slick playmaking mitts throughout the day. He had a nice pass on his first shift of the game and then set up David Krejci for what looked like a goal, but the puck exploded off Krejci’s stick blade and went over the net.
“He’s a hockey player, and he made a lot of plays,” said coach Jim Montgomery. “He’s really smart with his game management, too. He didn’t force plays at all.”
Bertuzzi admitted to some butterflies, but his adrenaline got him through the game.
“It was awesome,” said Bertuzzi. “Starts with the anthem, it’s a pretty cool anthem. All the guys were awesome. It just feels good to get this one out of way and now I’m just moving forward.”
For his first game, Bertuzzi thought he worked well with Coyle and Frederic.
“I thought we played simple and pretty good,” said Bertuzzi, who also had some shifts with Krejci and David Pastrnak.
“I’ll do whatever. I’m here to just win hockey games and wherever I play, that’s where I’ll play.”
Montgomery plans on experimenting a bit his lines the rest of the way. Asked if he thought the Bertuzzi-Coyle-Frederic line has a chance to grow as an identity line, the coach demurred.
“Maybe. I’m going to tinker. I’m not going to commit to anything right now,” Montgomery said with a chuckle.
Bertuzzi’s new locker, meanwhile, was placed next to a fellow member of the sandpaper crew, Brad Marchand, with whom the former Wing has had his battles.
“Yeah, I think they did that on purpose,” said Bertuzzi with a laugh.
Power outage
The B’s power play, especially the first unit, continues to be a concern. The PP went 0-for3, including two manadvantages early in the third period when the score was still 2-1. The PP is just 5-for-47 in the last 15 games. Montgomery conceded he’s thinking about tinkering with the personnel on the first unit, which has had Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy.
“That’s going to be put in the think-tank blender, because we’ve got to get better,” said Montgomery. “We’re not creating enough scoring chances. So that’s something we’re going to look at.”
Grzelcyk scratched
Matt Grzelcyk was the odd-man out on the back end, the second time he was scratched since Dmitry Orlov was obtained. Connor Clifton, Derek Forbort and Brandon Carlo have all been scratched once.
Montgomery hasn’t seen much benefit for the guys who’ve had to sit out, at least not yet.
“I haven’t noticed anything, good or bad. We just talked about how this is the way it’s going to be,” said “I noticed Clifton, after he missed the game, had a lot of juice in his legs compared to he rest of our D-men who had played all the games.”
No injury update
Montgomery had no more information on the
injured Taylor Hall, who was consulting a second opinion, and Nick Foligno. Both have lower body injuries and are not expected back before the end of the regular season.
Montgomery’s message to both players was succinct.
“We’re going to need you when it matters most,” said Montgomery. “We’re going to need you for playoffs. Whenever they’re ready, that’s when we’re going to use them again.” …
The B’s now have four straight days off before they host Edmonton on Thursday. Montgomery planned to give his charges Sunday and Tuesday off from practice.