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Even in a bottom-six role, Jake DeBrusk is an important piece |
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It was very clear Thursday night the Rangers had no interest in being in Boston to play a hockey game.
24-hours after their emotional contest with Tom Wilson and the Washington Capitals, the Rangers surely looked like a hockey team that has mailed it in and is counting down the minutes until their season ends.
The two will meet again Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.
Before Thursday’s contest, Jake DeBrusk gave a candid assessment of how things have gone for him in this unique season.
“I’ve been struggling, and it’s not fun when you’re struggling. It’s one of those things that you try to find little positives and things like that and just move on from there. It’s not the end of the world. Obviously, I’d like to do a lot more with what I can do,” said DeBrusk.
“But at the same time, it obviously hasn’t been meant for me, so I understand that my time will come.”
DeBrusk didn’t have to wait too long for his time to come as DeBrusk came out Thursday with arguably his best game of the season.
Not only did he score a goal en route to a 4-0 victory over the Rangers, DeBrusk was much involved in the game from the start, something that too often has been missing from his game.
He drew two penalties,—one leading to a power play goal—was heavy on the forecheck and was noticeably all over the ice.
A welcoming change.
"We're trying to get him to help us win. The goal tonight, good read by him to get behind their D on a turned-over puck in D-zone coverage. Good job, good stick, started with [Taylor] Hall. [David] Krejci saw Jake go; good move by Jake,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy.
"He had a similar opportunity the other night in Jersey, the goalie made the save. But at the end of the day, if he can pitch in with some goals and help us win in other areas of the game, I'll have more fun coaching and hopefully he'll have more fun playing."
Once thought to be a top-six cog for the Bruins, a role he maybe gets back to in the future, DeBrusk has accepted the fact that if he is to help this team win in the playoffs, it’s going to be in a bottom-six role.
And with it, less playing time and less opportunity to be an effective hockey player. But nights like Thursday are encouraging and hopefully a sign of what’s to come.
“My teammates obviously have been the ones keeping me going here. It’s one of those things that you want to do it for them, the room, and you want to obviously be there for them. And they’ve been there for me,” said DeBrusk.
“And I’ve been with this group for four years now [and] we’ve been through a lot, so they understand that there’s ups and downs and, you know, everyone’s different. There’s different types of things that go on. It’s just a matter of, just being ready for your opportunity and doing what you can because I know I can help this team.”
Whether it’s on the third line where he was on Thursday, replacing the injured Charlie Coyle, or on the fourth line where he’ll likely be when Coyle returns, the Bruins need DeBrusk to chip in like he did Thursday.
With the Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci lines likely to get a heavy dose of tougher matchups in the postseason, a player with the skillset DeBrusk has should be able to thrive against some of the opposition’s weaker lines.
It’s just a matter of putting it all together.
“I think you need that — you need to be there for one another. It’s not just about scoring goals. It’s about doing the little things, right. And guys are doing that and I think JD is one of them,” said Bergeron.
“And when you do that, and you stay in position and you do the right things out there, usually, more often than not, the puck is gonna find you at some point and you’re gonna get rewarded.”
DeBrusk’s spot in the lineup is far from safe.
Charlie Coyle should be back before seasons end, and Ondrej Kase unexpectedly returned to practice Friday. While it’s unlikely Kase is in the lineup in the next game or two, it’s just another body coming for a spot in the lineup.
But if DeBrusk can do the little things needed to be productive and help win hockey games—especially in the playoffs—and chip in offensively from time-to-time, hockey will be fun again for DeBrusk.
And, fun for the Bruins.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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