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A step in the right direction for Jake DeBrusk

February 13, 2019, 10:11 AM ET [7 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Boston Bruins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The timing of Jake DeBrusk’s best game in weeks couldn’t have been better. With David Pastrnak out of action for at least two weeks following thumb surgery, the Bruins will need others to step up in his absence.

In what was has been a rough few weeks for DeBrusk, the second year forward gave his best effort on Tuesday, and was rewarded for his hard work. It was a three-point night for DeBrusk that included his first goal since January 8th. DeBrusk finished with a game-high five shots on goal in the Bruins 6-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.



A common theme in the last three Bruins games, head coach Bruce Cassidy was very happy with the effort put forth by DeBrusk.

“Yeah, I’m happy for him too. I thought he was – first period there he cut off the wing, something we hadn’t seen much in a while, went to the net. I think the guy made a blocker save or like those are the type of goals that’s going to get Jake get going. Use your footspeed, attack the net because he’s got good hands in tight,” said Cassidy.

“Krech [David Krejci] found him there. I think it was after the power play just finished, and he does a lot of dirty work in front for that group, so good to see him get one too. He’s a streaky guy. He’s still young, so I think it affects him mentally if you’re not on the scoresheet, so I think it, hopefully, it’s a sign of more, but we’ll see.”

Prior to the Pastrnak injury, DeBrusk was bumped down to the third line over the last week, as Cassidy once again juggled his lines around, looking for more secondary scoring. Cassidy admitted last week that DeBrusk would need to play himself back into a top-six role. Over the weekend, DeBrusk took big steps towards finding himself back on a line with Krejci. But with Pastrnak now out for the remainder of the month, Cassidy’s hand was forced.

DeBrusk rewarded his coach, however.

“Yeah, it’s something that’s long overdue and something that I needed to be honest with you,” said DeBrusk. “Obviously, didn’t do my normal celly, but it was just nice to get on the board to help the team, and obviously, you know, a big night for a couple guys, and just try to build from there and put your best foot forward.”

DeBrusk was honest and admitted that it was a frustrating stretch for him. Starting with the little things, the things away from the puck, DeBrusk has slowly been working his way back to the type of game he wants to play on a consistent basis. Tuesday’s performance was a combination of everything finally coming together for 22-year old.

“Personally, very frustrating to be honest with you,” added DeBrusk. “It actually got to me a little bit, but at the same time I understood that there are peaks and valleys to your seasons and that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and when you get through it, it’s going to be a lot of fun and hopefully I’ve gotten through that.”

During his tenure as a Bruin, DeBrusk has shown to be a streaky goal scorer, with goals coming in bunches. But what DeBrusk said was really frustrating for him has been the lack of chances he has been getting. On Tuesday DeBrusk had the chances, and finally buried one.

“You want to force more shots or try to get more chances. The one thing that was most frustrating for me was that I wasn’t really getting chances of late so I knew I had to change something and just nice that it finally worked out,” said DeBrusk.

Speaking of things working out, Danton Heinen has been a completely different player since moving up to the first line and playing with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.

Since his promotion midway through last Wednesday’s shootout loss to the New York Rangers, the Marchand, Bergeron, Heinen trio have combined for seven five-on-five goals while not allowing a single five-on-five goal scored against them. They’ve also outshot their opponents 26-12.

Heinen’s second period tally was his 9th of the season, and third in four games. Heinen now has six points since jumping up to the first line.



Just one game in, it’s a small sample size, but it was nice to see Heinen and DeBrusk—two guys who the Bruins need more production from—stepping up in Pastrnak’s absence.

“Yeah, we’re going to need contributions from everybody with Pasta going down there for a bit. Heinen was unreal tonight, made a lot of big plays; Jake was very clutch tonight as well, so great games by them,” said Brad Marchand who scored his 22nd goal Tuesday night.

“You know, it’s fun to see them play like that and add some much depth to our group. Heinen has been great the last little bit, so we need that to continue.”
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