Silver linings are exhausting to search out when the you lose 5-4 in additional time within the method the Bruins did on Saturday.
But whenever you’re a man like Anthony Richard making an attempt to maintain your dream of taking part in the NHL alive on the age of 27 after taking part in most of your profession within the American Hockey League, you’ll seize on to something constructive and cling to it for pricey life.
Richard had seen some ice time on the third line within the earlier two video games, however coach Jim Montgomery shuffled his backside six, dropping him to the fourth line on Saturday. It led to Richard’s first objective as a Bruin.
“It was exciting,” mentioned Richard of his second-period strike. “I scored three goals (with Montreal last season) but they were all on the road. Scoring at home is always more special, especially here. The crowd is pretty good when we score goals. They get us going and it was obviously a huge goal for our line. But it’s always nicer when you win, for sure. We’ve got to find a way to close those games.”
On his objective that put the B’s up 3-1, linemates Jakub Lauko and Jesper Boqvist received a battle behind the web and Boqvist made a pleasant backhand move out entrance to Richard, who roofed it previous Kings goalie David Rittich.
Richard had developed some chemistry with Boqvist in Providence.
“I loved playing with Boqie in Providence,” mentioned Richard. “He’s got a lot of speed, especially playing the middle. In Providence, he was playing on the wing and I know his natural position is center. With him coming through the middle with a lot of speed, it’s easier for me and (Lauko). I think he had a really solid game and it was easy for me to get to the net. He created a lot of spaces for me. He’s a great player and it’s fun to play with him.”
Coach Jim Montgomery favored greater than the objective.
“I think his compete and his willingness to be hard on walls and hard down on the forecheck, I think that buys him another game, more than the goal itself,” mentioned Montgomery. “The goal’s nice and great to see him have that poise right at the net front.”
JVR pots two
James van Riemsdyk has made a dwelling within the NHL on the prime of the crease. But this yr, for some unusual motive, he hasn’t been in a position to put his probabilities away from there. It bought darkly comical on Thursday when his redirect of a David Pastrnak move missed a large open internet.
But the hockey gods began night issues out on Saturday. First, he took benefit of Trent Frederic’s internet drive, pulling the puck out of a pile and scoring his first objective of the day. Then, later within the first, he made a nifty backhand chip of a free puck in tight on the facility play for his second objective of the day and eleventh of the season.
“It’s always nice to pot a couple,” mentioned van Riemsdyk. “Obviously, I wish it was in a win, but I felt like I was a little bit snakebit for a good chunk of the year, so it’s nice to get rewarded with a couple. But I’d much rather have the win.”
The B’s hadn’t been getting a lot from their backside six however Montgomery made a few modifications that labored out. He dropped Richard to the fourth line and Frederic to the third line. It produced one fourth-line objective and two third-line objectives. The third unit of Frederic, Morgan Geekie and van Riemsdyk was certainly one of their higher traces of the day.
“(I liked) how direct and how north they were and how they went to hard areas and how they won goal line races,” mentioned Montgomery.
Loose pucks
The B’s third protection pairing has been struggling and it harm them on Saturday. Kevin Shattenkirk had a foul break on the Kings’ second objective that bought them again within the recreation when a shot deflected off him and into the web. Then Derek Forbort and Shattenkirk couldn’t clear the web entrance on the Kings’ third objective which tied the sport early within the third interval.
Finally, Forbort, who has struggled to get his recreation again on top of things after coping with a groin harm for many of the season, couldn’t clear the puck on the Kings’ late energy play, resulting in their game-tying objective.
While Parker Wotherspoon is at all times an choice to return in, Montgomery was requested if there was anything to that could possibly be achieved to re-constitute the again finish.
Said Montgomery: “That’s a good question. Haven’t thought about it.” … The B’s had a uncommon recreation in all prime three facilities had good video games in faceoffs. Charlie Coyle received 16-of-24, Pavel Zacha received 16-of-23 and Geekie received 8-of-12.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”