A.J. Greer was about 5 inches off from offering one heck of a spotlight reel aim within the Bruins’ 6-0 shellacking of the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.
With the B’s cruising to victory, Greer was receiving a move simply outdoors the Boston blue line as Flyer defenseman Travis Sanheim was closing on him. Greer first tried to chip it by Sanheim, however when it popped within the air, he gave it a backhand swat and – voila! – he had created a 2-on-1 for Tomas Nosek and himself. When he bought the return move from Nosek, Greer had an opportunity to complete it off however he simply missed the house over Samuel Ersson’s blocker.
While the play didn’t end in a aim, it was indicative of a participant, who had been out and in of the lineup, regaining his confidence. Feeding that confidence was, in fact, his large aim within the B’s 4-3 win over the the Maple Leafs on Saturday. It was his first aim since Oct. 18 and first level since Nov. 19.
“One hundred percent,” mentioned Greer on Tuesday after apply. “You could tell the last two games I’ve been confident with the puck and my decisions and everything. I think that’s just a matter of taking a step back, taking a look at the big picture and just re-setting. I went a lot of games without a point and not many offensive looks and once you get in that groove, it’s tough to get out of, because you start doubting yourself and you’re chasing it so much when it’s just better to wait for it and let it come to you and play the right way. And I think I’ve been playing the right way, but once you don’t get the offensive looks that you want, you’re looking for it and you’re thinking about it way too much and it doesn’t happen. I think I’ve just been refocusing and just enjoying it.”
Greer was the success story of coaching camp. Signed to a two-year, one-way deal in the summertime, the previous Boston University participant and Montreal native earned a roster spot with physicality and well timed offense in his preseason video games.
The begin of the common season didn’t finish the manufacturing. He had 3-1-4 totals in his first 4 video games as a Bruin. But ultimately, that dried up and the 26-year-old Greer started residing the lifetime of a man nonetheless attempting to determine himself as an NHL participant – sitting out two video games right here, three video games there. The subsequent factor he knew, he hadn’t scored a aim in three months.
But he snapped out of it on the proper time in opposition to the Leafs, and that play carried over in opposition to Philly.
“He’s been playing a lot more confidently,” mentioned coach Jim Montgomery. “He’s making good hits, he’s on top of pucks, he’s using his feet to get in behind defensemen and making high-end offensive chances. He’s doing a lot of good things. And, hey, we’re playing good hockey again. The last two games I think we’re back to playing Bruins hockey like we were for a long time. And I think it’s hard to take anyone out of the lineup. It just is.”
In his time with Avalanche and the Devils, Greer noticed his share of press field responsibility. But with the B’s, he by no means felt as remoted as it could actually typically really feel once you’ve been scratched a number of instances.
“It’s never fun. You want to help the team win, you want to be with the guys on the ice. But I think that it’s different because there’s such a good culture here,” mentioned Greer. “Everyone’s got your back. You don’t feel out of the lineup when you’re out of the lineup. When I’m out, I try to work as hard as I can to show that I’m going to be ready once you put me back in the lineup. That happened with Toronto. I got sat the game before and I just told myself, ‘I’m going to be ready once I get the chance.’ ”
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Greer was additionally signed by the B’s to supply some measurement, physicality and, at instances, a bit pugilism. He took on Matt Martin earlier this yr and has fought the likes of Dustin Byfuglien. When Toronto’s Michael Bunting took a shot at Patrice Bergeron on the finish of the second interval, he didn’t let it move.
But he’s discovered to choose his spots. The Flyers’ Nicolas Deslauriers needed to actual some revenge, and maybe change momentum in a sport that was rapidly getting away from Philly, after Greer was launched from the field after working into goalie Carter Hart. Greer was not going to offer him that probability. On prime of the sport scenario, Greer was feeling good about his personal sport and didn’t need to spend an prolonged time within the field once more.
“I’m never going to say no to someone, but it has be the right time,” mentioned Greer. “Because I can also play hockey and I can also contribute. I think I’m smart about when I want to fight and I pick my battles.”
Koppanen again
The B’s recalled middle Joona Koppanen and Montgomery mentioned he’ll play on Wednesday. Nosek, who has been battling an undisclosed damage, will get the evening off.
Source: www.bostonherald.com