Bruins Take Two in Opener with Shootout

There wasn’t a lot of flow flying, as David Pastrnak wasn’t playing, while Jack Studnicka played the right wing on the first line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Pastrnak is currently relegated to an “injured, non-roster” position as is Karson Kuhlman.

And after coming out strong and getting a goal in the first, there wasn’t a lot of flow on the ice either for the Boston Bruins as the game continued. They kept the lead through the second period, though the New Jersey Devils were beginning to push back. And then in the third, the Devils tied the game—twice—to force the game first to overtime and ultimately to the shootout, where Marchand, who already had a goal and an assist, notched the only goal of the shootout for either team to give the Bruins the win.

“I thought our start was excellent for not playing any real live hockey. We were into it. We were banging. We were winning pucks. We just go away from it in the third. We let a lead get away in the third period and that’s not a road we want to go down. I know it was only a one-goal lead but we’ve got to play winning hockey and I don’t think we did in the third at times. That’s an area that we’re going to have to clean up,” said Head Coach Bruce Cassidy.

With a lack of preseason games, and the loss of both Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug on the blue line, there were some questions about how this team would look. Some of those questions were answered resoundingly, while others will likely need a few more games before solutions are found.

First and foremost, Kevan Miller returned to the lineup in black and gold for the first time in 651 games. There were doubts by some as to how his first game back would go. After his first few shifts, he certainly didn’t look like he hadn’t played a game since April 4, 2019. 

The team were all thrilled to have Miller back on the bench and perhaps none more so than Marchand.

“We all know how hard of a road he’s had the last year and a half and a lot of guys would have quit and just hung them up. And with how hard he pushed to get back and what he had to go through and his resiliency, I think that’s what everyone was looking so forward to tonight was watching him back on the ice. From the second he stepped on the ice in camp, you could see that fire in his eye and it’s fun to watch him out there. He’s such a big part of our team on and off the ice. It was great. We wanted to win for him tonight. He was unreal out there and his old self again,” Marchand effused.

Marchand would have said more but Miller, who was sitting next to him, interrupted jokingly, “Uncle, uncle.”

It was obvious that the team was indeed thrilled to have him back and that Miller, though he didn’t say much, was just as happy tO be back playing the game he loves. His return will help ensure that other teams know that if they get physical he is happy to return the favor.

“That’s his style. If he gets hit, he hits ‘em back and makes them sit down,” Tuukka Rask said.

The second question had to do with the power play. The loss of Krug had some asking who would take his spot on the first power play unit. Based on Thursday night’s game, it appears that job is Matt Grzelcyk’s to lose. He was quarterbacking that top power play unit with Bergeron, in his bumper position, along with David Krejci, Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Grzelcyk spent some time there during the previous season and it is likely that as this season gets under way his confidence in the position will grow. 

The shortened training season and lack of preseason games means that this year the players will have to do a lot of fixing on the fly. Grzelcyk can contribute, there is no doubt of that. When Krug was in the lineup, Grzelcyk was relegated to a lower role, and now he will have an opportunity to show all he can offer. In fact, he gave a hint of just what he is capable of in this opener, leading the team with six shots on goal. 

The teams will be back at it on Saturday in New Jersey for the second of eight tilts between these two. And with all games being divisional, the Bruins will want to get on the board first and hang onto the lead to take four points in the first two games.