In hockey (and life in general), timing is everything.
So when B’s top line center David Krejci was a last-minute scratch for the club’s Saturday night tilt against the Ottawa Senators, Matt Fraser, a scratch in eight of the last nine games, knew that his opportunity was there. And in a team-low 17 shifts, and with 10:50 of time on ice (the second lowest on the team) the 24-year-old winger made it count (twice, in fact), in a 4-2 victory for Boston.
“It was kind of nice. I don’t want to do it every game but you just kind of forget about all the details and you just go out there and play,… Fraser, who last played back on Oct. 18, said of the word confirming the last minute sub-in to the lineup. “You try to prepare the same way as if you’re playing every night but when it comes down to it, mentally, it’s almost easier when they tell you just after warm-ups that you’re going.…
Boston’s night began with a brilliant goal from Brad Marchand off an offensive zone faceoff win by Patrice Bergeron, good for Marchand’s third goal in the last two games. It wasn’t the prettiest of goals for Marchand, with the puck trickling through Robin Lehner’s pad ever-s0-slowly, but one that No. 63 will take every day of the week given his slow start to the season in the goal department.
“Those are just a couple breaks that have gone my way,… Marchand said of his recent goals. “I don’t think I played a great game tonight, but something to build off of and it is finally nice to get on the board, though.…
The late period struck would be matched, however, with Ottawa’s Mark Stone answering with his third goal of the season, an unassisted tally 38 seconds later, and with 27 seconds left in the first period.
And after weathering a Sens storm that continued on into the second period, the Bruins capitalized.
With Loui Eriksson deflecting an Erik Karlsson clearing attempt, Carl Soderberg put the shot on goal, and a streaking Fraser, from off the bench, came in and blasted it on, beating Lehner’s stacked pads to put the Bruins up 2-1. The goal was Fraser’s first of the season, and his first regular season NHL goal since Jan. 9 against the Los Angeles Kings. The Red Deer, Alb. native wasn’t done yet though.
After surviving a heavy forecheck from the Sens’ fourth line, a chip up into the attacking zone by Soderberg put Fraser in a footrace for the puck with Lehner the last line of Ottawa defense. Then came Fraser’s patented shot. Rifling an absolute laser under the crossbar, putting the B’s out by two, Fraser’s second of the night matched his 2013-14 NHL output in just one period (it took him 14 games to score two last year).
“I don’t know if the net looked that big or if my eyes just looked that big,… the 6-foot-2 winger noted of the prime scoring chances that came his way. “You get those opportunities and myself, I pride myself on making sure that those get to the back of the net. I was glad that both pucks, obviously, went in.…
Multi-goal nights are nothing new for Fraser, who had five of them last year for the Providence Bruins, but with the club’s lineup in a seemingly constant state of flux, Fraser’s made his bid to stay on the ice.
“Just to be in the lineup is huge for my confidence but the one thing I’ve drawn on for myself, like I was never a drafted player. I had to climb walls to get where I am. It’s not easy being a traded guy and kind of being a guy that flies under the radar in the trade,… admitted Fraser, one of the return pieces in the infamous trade that sent former No. 2 overall pick Tyler Seguin to Dallas in July 2013. “The end goal has never changed for me. It’s not to just be here but to be an impact player. Any time you’re sitting out and watching and wondering what’s going on it’s definitely challenging. At the end of the day I’ve gone through this in my career. That’s happened to me before but you find a way to get past it.…
Fraser’s second goal would serve as the game-winner, as Dennis Seidenberg added a goal of his own in the third period, while Mika Zibanejad added one of his own late in the third.
For the Bruins, you can talk about Fraser’s strong showing, Marchand’s recent hot streak, or maybe even the continued development of the young defensive unit the club’s rolling out on a nightly basis. But the biggest thing for the Black and Gold to take away from this victory? For the first time since Oct. 8’s opening night win against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Bruins are over .500 by way of their 7-6-0 record.
“We played some inconsistent games, we had a chance to climb up the .500 but hopefully this strength keeps going the right way you know one game over .500 we just gotta keep going,… Tuukka Rask, who finished the night with 27 saves on 29 shots, said of the climb to the positive side of it all. “It’s definitely not satisfying yet but we are not where we want to be but today was a step on the right direction.…
It’s been a struggle for the B’s to get to this point, so much so they haven’t even noticed the positives.
“We won five out of [the last] seven?… Rask asked. “Yeah? It doesn't feel like it.…
Report: Julien signs three-year extension
While the Bruins were busy jumping over the .500 mark, a report from Sportsnet indicated that the Bruins and head coach Claude Julien came to terms on a three-year deal to keep the Bruins’ second winningest coach (though he’s right on Art Ross’ heels) behind the TD Garden bench.
But Julien would not take the bait on confirming the news after the win.
“I have no comments on that, absolutely not,… a sly Julien said when asked if he wanted to share any ‘personal good news’ after the win. “Let’s talk about the team.…
That wasn’t the only try.
To close out his presser, Julien was asked if he’s enjoyed his time as the coach of the Bruins.
“What does that have to do with anything?… Julien asked, smirking. “It’s been a lot of fun guys.…
Karlsson not dwelling on minus-4 night
Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson finished the night with a minus-4 rating. It was just the second time in Karlsson's career where he finished with a minus-4, and first time since Mar. 20, 2010.
"I think I might’ve been dash-four a couple times in my career, and it turned out pretty well, so I’m not too concerned about it," Karlsson noted. "Obviously it’s not fun, and it’s a terrible stat, and something you have to figure out."
Neutralized by Boston, finishing the night with one shot and one missed shot, the ultra-talented Swede isn't going to fret over the idea that he's 'trying to do much' for his club.
"It’s a couple of reads here and there. Make good reads and get bad results, and as I said I feel good, and felt really good today," Karlsson said. "I didn’t have the results that I wanted, and I don’t think I deserved either, but that’s the way it is sometimes. It’s a fast game, and hopefully next game will be the other way around. Maybe I’ll feel terrible and everything will go my way."
Notes
- Dennis Seidenberg's goal was his first of the season, and his first since Dec. 12, 2013.
- A dominating night at the dot for Patrice Bergeron. He won 18-of-24 drops. 75 percent.
- Simon Gagne's tripping penalty was the only one of the night. Wonder if that had something to do with the Dalai Lama coming to town (and wearing a Bruins hat, too).
Up next
The Bruins will play host to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The game will mark the return to the TD Garden for the 37-year-old Shawn Thornton after he left the club via free agency this summer. A Bruin from 2007 to 2014, Thornton was an undeniable fan favorite for his willingness to drop the gloves to defend his teammates, lively personality, and off ice contributions to the City of Boston. Should be fun.