Al dente Pasta
Cassidy eyes Saturday return for sharpshooter
Bruins star David Pastrnak could return to the ice on Saturday against the Capitals
After a 10-goal outburst over the last two games, the Bruins’ frustration and desperation to find offense the first three road games has subsided — for now.
Just the same, it was a welcome sight to see David Pastrnak on Monday donning the white practice jersey of the healthy for the first time this season, shedding the red non-contact shirt he wore last week.
Exactly when he gets into the lineup remains to be seen. Coach Bruce Cassidy said that he doesn’t expect him to play in either of the two home games against the Penguins tonight or Thursday, but his progress in these last days of rehab from offseason hip surgery will be reassessed going into the weekend when the B’s face former teammate Zdeno Chara and the Washington Capitals for the first time on Saturday.
Pastrnak’s trademark exuberance was on full display at practice, even if the realities hit him in the face like the January chill.
“It was the first contact day today and it’s obviously not fun getting hit for the first time after four months. I obviously have to get used to that,” said Pastrnak. “This is the worst part for professional athletes always, with the injuries. It’s always tough to see your friends playing and you just can’t. I’m happy that I can finally practice with the guys. It’s been a long road and I really can’t wait.”
Pastrnak suffered a shoulder injury in his first pro season and two seasons ago broke his thumb in an off-ice mishap. But this is his first major surgery that profoundly affected his offseason.
An example to be followed by more youth athletes, Pastrnak loves to compete and will do so in sports other than hockey in the offseason. That was out, and in was a more careful, methodical rehab that has put him on the cusp of returning to game action ahead of the original mid-February target.
It still wasn’t as fun as kicking the soccer ball around.
“The hardest part was obviously the first two months. As you guys know, I’m an outgoing kid
and every offseason I mix everything in with the workouts and the ice hockey and with certain sports like tennis and soccer, which I take as my preparation for the season instead of running around in circles. I go play soccer and stuff. I’m very, very outgoing and a very (sports-oriented) person,” said Pastrnak. “Those first two months were really hard. Obviously, I couldn’t do anything, had to follow a program and really work myself every single week just step by step. That was really difficult for me. I had to change my preparation for the season. But I always look on the positive side so I got to know my body really, really well.”
Being on the outside looking in is not a place Pastrnak likes to be. But he said he needs to see his recovery through to the end.
“It’s hard to watch games because you want to get out there and play,” said Pastrnak. “But I believe in the process and following the process for the last four months. The closer you get the harder it is, but it’s been a long time so you have to work on your timing and get your speed back to the level to where you’re comfortable and you can help the team.”
Pastrnak didn’t want to use the discomfort he was experiencing during the bubble playoffs as any excuse for not lighting it up, but said the difference in how he feels between now and then is encouraging.
“It’s wonderful skating on the ice now pain-free,” said Pastrnak. “I’m so excited about coming back and joining the guys, being around every day and help the team to win. … I had a decision to make in the offseason and I couldn’t be happier that I’ve done it. Skating pain-free now is wonderful.”
In Monday’s practice, Pastrnak split time with Jack Studnicka on David Krejci‘s right wing, but when asked about it, Cassidy made it clear that he wasn’t messing with what has been arguably the best line in hockey the past couple of years. Pastrnak will go right back with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, said Cassidy.
And if he does make it back into the lineup Saturday, he’ll see another old friend — except one wearing a different uniform. The B’s face long-time captain Chara in a Caps’ uniform — not the easiest way to get back on the horse for a first-line right wing.
“It’ll be weird you know. I don’t know what to say about battling against Z. It’s going to be weird,” said Pastrnak. “But at the same time, Zdeno was such a big leader here and helped me personally so much to grow as a person and as a player. I can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done for me. Obviously it’s sad (he gone), but on the other side, it’s the business of hockey we live in. It’s definitely going to be weird but I’m so appreciative that I was able to be on his team and learn from him every single day. I can’t thank him enough.”
Grzelcyk possible for tonight’s game
Matt Grzelcyk, who missed Saturday’s game with a lower body injury after crashing feet-first into the boards last Thursday, did not skate on Monday, though Cassidy did not rule him out for tonight’s game against the Penguins.
The right-shot Connor Clifton played in Grzelcyk’s spot with Brandon Carlo on Saturday, sliding over to the left side. It wasn’t an easy ask, but Cassidy thought he hung in there.
“I thought he was fine,” said Cassidy. “He skated a couple of pucks onto his backhand where you can get into trouble, especially against the 1-2-2 forecheck that Philly does and Pittsburgh will do the same. That’s something you have to be mindful of, that you have to roll away from the boards and into the middle on that offside. It’s a little backwards thinking, so to speak. Usually you roll outside and stay on your forehand. In order for him to stay on his forehand, he’s going to have to roll to the middle. We’ve talked about him and Brandon. Brandon would have to roll under him so instead of looking for a D-to-D pass, you’re looking more for a Dto-D drop. It can work against certain types of forechecks. So that’s something we’ll talk to him about. It’s not natural but certainly something he can work on. Otherwise, he played hard. That’s his game. He plays hard, he’ll get the puck to the net when he can. He’s going to finish checks, defend hard. That’s what we want out of him.”
After crashing into a post on Saturday, Bergeron was given an extra maintenance day but Cassidy said he expects him to play tonight.