If there was additional emotion roiling by the Bruins’ dressing room with former coach Bruce Cassidy returning to the Garden on Monday, the B’s have been doing a great job of protecting a lid on it after the workforce’s morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena.
“Obviously, we were appreciative of all the time we had with Butch. I’m sure it’s going to be a special game for him,” stated captain Patrice Bergeron. “For us, obviously we’re playing against the best team in the West (Cassidy’s Vegas Golden Knights) and it’s a big challenge for us.”
Brandon Carlo stated that the B’s focus stays on themselves, although he did say that going by a recreation like Monday’s might be an necessary a part of the workforce’s development.
“I think just we’re continuing to focus on things we’re doing so far, that’s been something that’s been said a lot with this group, the process of the game,” stated Carlo. “I think it’s a good thing to go through, emotional things like that because it only prepares you more for things down the road. I’m just trying to stay within myself and keep doing the things that I’m doing. I think that’s the same for our whole group.”
On Sunday on the Garden, Cassidy pointed to the truth that his familiarity with Atlantic Division has led to nice success for the Golden Knights in these inter-divisional skirmishes. The Knights have been 7-0 in opposition to the Atlantic heading into Monday’s recreation. And there’s no workforce he is aware of higher than the Bruins.
“I think it goes both ways. We know how he coaches really well,” stated B’s coach Jim Montgomery. “I think both team’s pre-scouts were not needed to watch video. It’s going to make for a great matchup. Butch is an excellent, excellent coach. His record here, his record of what he’s doing in Vegas speaks for itself and I think he did a great job here for a long time.”
Montgomery additionally didn’t sense a lot of a raised emotional stage along with his group.
“I think it’s a veteran group that’s been through this before I haven’t noticed a single thing like that,” stated Montgomery.
On the offensive
At the beginning of coaching camp, Montgomery spoke fairly a bit about using Carlo’s skating capability to contribute to the offense. So far, the tangible outcomes haven’t been there. He’s bought simply three assists in 19 video games. But Montgomery and Carlo imagine he’s having a constructive affect on the offense.
“I think he’s getting more and more comfortable offensively,” stated Montgomery. “Defensively, he’s been a stud all year long. Offensively, he’s getting to those spots where he should be, whether it’s his offensive zone play or breakouts or joining rush, he’s up the ice a lot. And the more he gets in those situations, you’re going to see the production come with it.”
Carlo final bought on the board final week on Taylor Hall’s deflection of the defenseman’s shot/move within the B’s 3-1 win over Tampa.
“I feel like I’ve definitely had some opportunities around the net at times and I feel like I’m starting to get the puck into our offensive guys hands in the offensive zone in things like,” stated Carlo. “I definitely feel like my contributions are coming along well and I don’t want to get outside of myself and try to do too much at times. I like the way things have been going and hopefully it will result in a couple more goals and points soon. But I’m happy with the process of how its gone so far.”
Zacha trending up
The Bruins are again to full energy and but, with the way in which issues have shaken out to this point, Pavel Zacha has remained within the prime six, skating on the Czech line with David Krejci and David Pastrnak. And his level totals are creeping up. He headed into Monday’s recreation on a three-game level streak and has 3-13-16 totals in 23 video games, placing him in a tie with Taylor Hall, who’s output has been extra evenly divided (8-8-16).
Montgomery surmised Zacha went by a interval of adjustment.
“Especially when you’re going to play with someone like Pastrnak. And for him, it’s Pasta and Krech,” stated Montgomery. “Everyone forces the puck to who your best goal scorer is. That just happens. I think Bergy and (Brad Marchand) do it when Pasta’s on their line, too. So that’s natural. You’ve got to think with Zacha, he grew up and Krejci was probably an idol, because he was the best player in (Czechia) when he was in his formative years when he was a teenager, and then Pasta was right before him as far as being a first-round pick and being from the same country. There’s a lot of maybe added pressure at first, compared to where he is now, settling in and playing his game.”
Montgomery believes Zacha has a fairly good deal with on his present position.
“He understands that he’s the guy that has to retrieve pucks, get it to them and get back inside the dots to the scoring area and screening,” stated Montgomery.
Source: www.bostonherald.com