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David Krejci injured and more preseason thoughts |
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The Bruins returned to TD Garden Monday night for the first time since their loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and received a bit of a scare. Making his preseason debut, David Krejci lasted just two shifts before leaving the game with what the Bruins deemed a lower-body injury.
But it doesn’t sound like Krejci’s injury is too serious.
“I don’t think he’s serious. Took a hit early on, tried to keep playing but he just felt it was better to not push through, it wasn’t worth it,” Cassidy said following Monday’s overtime victory. “Obviously we’ll know more tomorrow, but I don’t think it’s serious.”
Charlie Coyle continues to be Bruins best player
If training camp and preseason are any indication, a big season is on tap for Charlie Coyle. Entering the final year of a five-year contract, Coyle is pegged into the center spot on the Bruins third line, but should Krejci’s injury be worse than what the Bruins believe it to be, Coyle would be the one to jump into a top-six-role.
“He’s a great player; he’s dialed in this year. He looks incredible from the first day of camp to now, he’s been by far the best player,” Brad Marchand said about Coyle. "He’s just dominating in every area right now.”
There was talk about Coyle potentially sliding to the right of Jake DeBrusk and Krejci on the Bruins second line, but Coyle is most comfortable and at his best playing in the middle. I really liked the way the trio of Anders Bjork, Coyle and Danton Heinen looked in Philadelphia last week, and wouldn’t mind seeing what the three can bring to the table as a third line when the regular season starts next week .
Playing a similar role in the postseason last year alongside Heinen and Marcus Johansson, Coyle and the Bruins third line was one of the teams most consistent lines and brought a mixed bag of tricks to the ice each night.
Feed me more “Cliffy Hockey”
He’s a bit unconventional in the way he plays the position, but man, he’s one fun defenseman to watch. Going back to the aforementioned game in Philadelphia, Clifton had himself an eventful night. There was a team-high 21:59 of time on ice, two penalties and a pretty breakaway goal.
Just another night at the office for Clifton.
Clifton really impressed last season, earning himself some key minutes in the Bruins postseason run. Rewarded for his efforts with a three-year extension, Clifton can be an underrated part of the Bruins blue line.
Jakub Lauko makes some noise
Drafted in the third round of the 2018 Entry Draft, Lauko has some names to jump on the depth chart before he gets a look at the NHL level, but after what Lauko showed Monday night against the Flyers, that jump might happen sooner rather than later.
Lauko scored the Bruins first goal of the game Monday night, one that certainly impressed. Skating through a Flyers forward, Lauko fed himself a self-pass off the boards, blasted pass a Flyers defenseman and sent a shot between the tiny space given to him between the shoulder of Flyers goalie Brian Elliott and the crossbar.
An eye opening play all-around
“Yeah, that’s what he does. When he’s on his game, he’s moving his feet, he’s chipping and chasing, he’s a tough guy to stop,” Cassidy said of the 19-year old.
“He’s got a nice shot, and can make some plays. He’s still learning the ropes away from the puck, when to, breakout situations, defensive zone situations. I think that’s perfectly normal at nineteen, that’ll be the challenge for him, to take care of the details. He’ll always be fast, he’ll always want to score, always be competitive, get under people’s skin.”
Bruins may have something in Kyle Keyser
With Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak back for another season, the Bruins are once again in great shape with one of the game’s best goalie tandems. But one more goalie may not be too far off from joining in on the fun.
20-year old Kyle Keyser has had a great training camp and even better preseason. His play so far in September should have Bruins management excited about the future between the pipes.
Coming off the bench for the third period and overtime of Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Blackhawks, Keyser was once again impressive, stopping 20 of the 21 shots he saw. With names like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Alex DeBrincat and Duncan Keith firing pucks at him, those numbers are impressive.
The 20-year old Keyser was in net last week when the Bruins kicked their preseason off against P.K. Subban, number one overall pick Jack Hughes and the rest of the New Jersey Devils. The youngster made 17 saves on 17 shots, showing poise in his first go-around.
From a pair of breakaway stops to several hectic moments in front of his blue paint, Keyser looked like a grizzled veteran instead of a 20-year old who spent last season in the OHL.
Keyser will split duties this season with Dan Vlader and Maxime Lagace in Providence.
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