The Bruins host the Rangers at TD Garden Saturday night, their fourth of six preseason contests. Although the majority of the Bruins projected opening night roster has only appeared in one preseason game to date, there’s been a lot to like about the Bruins preseason so far.
Keeping in mind that we shouldn’t get too high or too low off of what is seen on the ice in preseason action, here are three things that I’ve liked about the Bruins preseason so far.
Top power play unit
We got to see the Bruins new top power play unit in action in Thursday’s contest against the Flyers, and their top unit wasted no time making their impact felt.
The combination of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Taylor Hall and Charlie McAvoy should be a unit that provides the Bruins with a ton of scoring, continuing the Bruins trend of being home to one of the league’s top power plays.
The key difference from a year ago was Taylor Hall, who the Bruins acquired at last year’s trade deadline and then rewarded with a four-year contract this summer.
Hall’s role on the power play as the net-front presence should give the Bruins more options on the power play. At times last year it felt as if working the puck through Bergeron as the bumper and feeding Pastrnak for one-timers became stale.
The Bruins struck twice on the man advantage Thursday, with the first coming from the top unit. A play that began with Bergeron cleanly winning the faceoff back to McAvoy who immediate fed Pastrnak for the one-timer. After Bergeron forced the puck lose with a ferocious forecheck, a diving Hall was able to knock the puck over to the far side to find a wide-open Marchand.
A power-play tally where all five on the ice were involved in the development of the goal. Can’t ask for more than that.
“[Pastrnak, Bergeron, Marchand, and McAvoy] are four really skilled guys in the league. That net-front position, I think it’s important,… said Hall. “Just like that goal, I’ve got to get pucks back for those guys as I get more comfortable with them.…
Don’t let us down, Jake
We’ve seen Jake DeBrusk star in this movie many of times. He gets hot, scores a bunch of goals across several games, gets everyone excited and then goes on an ice-cold streak that creates nothing but frustration.
DeBrusk notched his second goal in as many games on Thursday, continuing to impress in his brief preseason stint.
But to me, what’s been more exciting than the goals in DeBrusk’s game has been him doing the little things right. Those little things that were so often missing from his game last season.
His goal Thursday was the perfect example of that. After collecting the puck below the Flyers’ goal line, DeBrusk drove the puck to net, chipping the rubber past Flyers’ goalie Martin Jones.
It was a clear sign that DeBrusk’s confidence is there. It was an encouraging development from DeBrusk where it felt like had that been play happened last year, it would have resulted in DeBrusk forcing the puck to the middle in hopes of finding the tape of a teammate, only to lead to a dead play.
Early return on Erik Haula is a positive one
Centering DeBrusk in those two preseason games has been Erik Haula who comes to Boston after inking an off-season deal with the Bruins. Through two games, he’s shown much to be excited about.
Haula has been doing different things in different areas that have impressed giving an indication that the Bruins third line can be a dangerous one at that.
Whether it be winning the puck battle along the boards that led to DeBrusk’s tally, or his slick saucer pass to Nick Foligno that led to Craig Smith’s power play tally, Haula has shown he can produce in different areas.
"He's been a good player for us. He's around the puck a lot. He's willing to shoot, he can make some plays. He's got good pace through the middle of the ice. I think he knows where he needs to be effective and that's through the middle,… said head coach Erik Haula.
“He's in good spots to receive passes. He's been strong on the draws. A different pace in the middle than what we're used to, as a left stick as well. Looks like him and Jake play well together, so we try to keep that together.…
DeBrusk, Haula and Foligno are penciled in as the Bruins opening night third line. Albeit just one performance together as a unit, the trio looked mighty impressive Thursday night.