Much of the early season buzz across the Bruins has been about Matt Poitras, and rightly so. Poitras very properly may very well be the highest six centerman the B’s have been seeking to develop for over a decade now.
But the emergence of fellow rookie John Beecher has been a welcome and well timed improvement as properly. Beecher, centering the fourth line between Milan Lucic and Jakub Lauko that was the one unit that coach Jim Montgomery left alone in Monday’s observe, has helped mitigate the underrated lack of Tomas Nosek within the early going of the season.
Seeing simply 12.5% of offensive zone begins, Beecher up to now has proven himself to be a dependable defensive-minded pivot whereas holding his personal within the faceoff dot (12 up, 10 down).
Plenty extra challenges lay forward, however up to now so good.
“I’m definitely getting a little more comfortable out there and settling in nicely. The guys have made it a good transition for us. They’ve helped out a lot,” stated Beecher, the thirtieth general choose within the 2019 draft, after Monday’s observe.
“I think going into games, my only mindset is keeping things simple for right now. We’re only two games in and I’m still trying to gain a little confidence out there and really just trying to open the ice up, just keeping it simple, playing north-south, playing that hard, fast game. I think it’s gone well so far and I’ve had some positive feedback from the coaching staff and the guys in the locker room. Obviously that’s really encouraging to see and I just have to keep my foot down,” he stated.
In an NHL that has by no means been sooner, Beecher’s pace has been noticeable. Combined along with his 6-foot-3 body and lengthy attain, he has proven to be an efficient penalty killer. That talent was evident within the B’s win over the Nashville Predators final Saturday once they paraded to the penalty field within the first and second durations. Beecher noticed 4:36 of ice time on the PK, which might ultimately assist to shift momentum within the sport to the Bruins.
“Obviously, we’re playing in the best league in the world right now and everybody out there can skate, so that’s definitely encouraging to see that I can still use that as a big asset,” stated Beecher. “Honestly, I could probably even use it a bit more. So just still trying to fine-tune some things out in the games and get a little more comfortable. I’m sure this nice long road trip will help, just getting a couple more games under my belt and hitting the ground running.”
Playing with Lucic, who has returned to Boston as one thing of a Bruin icon, has helped Beecher in addition to second-year NHLer Lauko.
“He does all the little things right. He’s always in the right spots. You can tell he’s played over 1,100 games so he’s an unreal vet to have. It’s kind of surreal playing on a line with him. It’s been fun for the first two games and hopefully we can keep it going,” stated Beecher of Lucic.
“He sees the ice so well and he makes so many good reads. It’s good to see. We’re going to make mistakes out there but having a guy like that who can settle things down is nice.”
Shuffling traces
While the elevation of Poitras to play with Brad Marchand was essentially the most fascinating of the road modifications, the reunion of Charlie Coyle with Trent Frederic was noteworthy as properly. They had been a profitable tandem final 12 months with Taylor Hall driving left wing, a job that for now will probably be performed by James van Riemsdyk. Montgomery believes it may be a superb two-way line.
“They’re both really good 5-on-5, below the tops players. They’re both good defensively as well. If I want to I can match them up against some other teams’ best offensive line,” stated Montgomery of Coyle and Frederic. “But most importantly is the O-zone time they play well together and I think a guy like van Riemsdyk helps them connect the dots, because he likes to own the net front, Charlie likes to possess and Freddy really does a good job of getting open as the (the third forward in the zone) and shooting it.”
Montgomery believes Frederic is coming into his personal as a participant.
“I’ve just noticed that from this point last year to this year, he’s a way more assertive hockey player. I think he’s just a lot more confident hockey player and he’s showing how he’s taking the puck and skating with it more this year and looking to create offense more on his own,” stated Montgomery.
Loose pucks
Montgomery believes, with a lot turnover and a few youthful gamers within the lineup, it has been good to have a reasonably gentle schedule early on.
“We need more teaching than we did last year, just to be able to play fast,” stated Montgomery. “I really liked how our 5-on-5 game went from Game 1 to Game 2. We played a lot faster in all three zones. So that was encouraging, but we’ve still got a long way to go. We’re a work-in-progress. And when you’re a work-in-progress as a team, as far as closing out games and extending leads and things that really matter to results, you’ve got to do a little more teaching.”….
The B’s switched out the energizing and typically impetuous play of Connor Clifton for the extra veteran, cerebral method of Kevin Shattenkirk on the third protection pairing with Derek Forbort. Time will inform which combo will probably be more practical, however Montgomery has preferred what the well-traveled 34-year-old Shattenkirk, who received a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2020, has dropped at your entire protection group.
“I really like his poise and his intelligence,” stated Montgomery. “He has a really good calming influence on our D corps within the game, something we felt we needed back there, just because he’s been through a lot in his career. And I think his understanding of the game and momentum within the game will help, kind of like (Nick) Foligno and (Lucic) have done here. Looch has done that really well for the forwards this year.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com