Bruins face busy stretch
Ramp up for 12 games in 21 nights
The time has come for the Bruins to pull on their work boots.
Starting with Tuesday’s game against the Penguins at the Garden, the Bruins will play 12 games over the next 21 nights. It is essentially a game every other night with two back-to-backs thrown in for good measure.
Coach BRuCE CASSIDY can cut back on ice time between games and give veterans the odd practice off. Last Friday a handful of veterans were off the practice day and on Monday. PAtRICE BERGERON was given an extra maintenance day after a day off on Sunday. And the B’s do have an advantage in that they have no qualms in playing their backup goaltender JAROSLAV HALAK, who has really been a 1B since arriving here in 2018. Travel inside the East Division is some of the most forgiving in the league, even if it features some of the best teams.
But the next three weeks will be a challenge.
“We’ve started to pick some guys who are up in minutes (to give days off ). Those overtime games added some stress. So yes, we will do some of that,” said Cassidy. “Obviously the goaltending won’t change a lot with our plans. It will probably just mean a simpler rotation. Instead of two out of three if it’s three a week — TuuKKA (RASK) is usually playing two — if it’s four, it’s probably a clean split. We may inject some of our players in, but then you’re talking about roster moves you have to make. Certain guys will have to come out and and then you’re dealing with waivers, so that’s a bit of a challenge there. But we’re going to look at that and see how our health is. (DAVID PAStRNAK) is getting closer so that will give us another body up front. And on the back end, we’ve already had (CONNOR CLIFtON) in, so that’s good. The guys are getting a taste at least so if they have to go in in the middle of it in the next couple of weeks, they have some game action. Otherwise, we’re just going to play and deal with it as it comes.”
Playing teams twice in a row in the same city helps as well.
Asked if he’d like to see an element of that scheduling implemented when we return to an 82-game schedule, Cassidy saw both sides of the argument. The current schedule can certainly create rivalries, said Cassidy, but it could also prevent certain cities from seeing a Connor McDavid or Nathan McKinnon if the schedule is too divisionheavy. The league needs to gauge what the fans really want.
But from a player’s viewpoint, Brandon Carlo gave the current schedule a thumbs-up.
“I’ve been enjoying it for the most part,” said Carlo. “Obviously it’s still different when you’re on the road with the COVID restrictions and not being able to go out to dinner with guys. It’s something that I really miss. But I’ve really been enjoying the time when we get the week here at home and getting to play a couple of games. I think it’s a great set-up and they’ve done a great job this year, especially with all the restrictions in terms of making it happen. Going forward, yeah, I wouldn’t mind if there was some sort of structure like that if we get to reduce the travel and enjoy the city a little more when you’re there for a day off. You get to go out and experience some of the history. It’s really nice to not be on such a moving path all the time. It’s been great to settle in at a hotel for a couple of nights.”
Feeling empowered
With the loss of Torey Krug, one question mark for the Bruins going into the season was whether the power play could be quite as potent as it has been. The answer is so far, so good.
The B’s went into Tuesday’s game against the Penguins ranked fifth in the league with a success rate of 35.3%.
Some pretty formidable constants remained with Bergeron and Brad Marchand. And while David Krejci isn’t the same bombsaway type of shooter the inactive Pastrnak is, it was a safe bet that the veteran’s savvy would bring something tangible to the table while Pastrnak makes his way back into the fold.
The two new elements are at the top of the PP where Krug had been stationed and Nick Ritchie at the net-front.
“So far (Ritchie) has been a real good add for us. He adds a different dimension than maybe a Marchie or (Jake) DeBrusk in front. But he’s been recovering pucks and he can make plays around the goal line. He’s comfortable with the puck down there, he senses pressure, can finish around the front of the net and obviously distracts the goaltender. He’s a big body. That’s obviously been an advantage for us, something a little different,” said Cassidy. “And at the top, it’s been important that those guys do their part, facilitate, move the puck to the playmakers and I think (Matt Grzelcyk) has done a good job with that. Charlie (McAvoy) did a good job the other night, stepped in and did a good job. Even (Jakub) Zboril did when he jumped on it. I think they understand their role there. It’s our job to make sure they do when we have our meetings, what their reads are. I think Torey did a great job at that. He’s probably capable of shooting the puck more and scoring more, but he deferred to those guys because that’s what we felt gave us the best chance to score. That’s what it’s all about. Good for them for sticking with the game plan. Hopefully we can keep putting the puck in the net.”
Moore on mend
Cassidy said that John Moore (lower body) skated before practice and is expected to join the team for practice on Wednesday.