Bruins notebook: As B’s surge, still work to be done

Entering Thursday’s game with the Blackhawks, the Bruins were second in the NHL in points with 45, just two back of Washington with two games in hand.

The B’s had to win late their previous three games, and there are still flaws to fix — like starting on time and being forced to be in a spot to have to come from behind to begin with — but with a 15-point cushion on a playoff spot, they have time to make adjustments.

“I’m not even sure if guys know (where they are in the standingds) and who’s checking what,” said Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. “But, yeah, it’s probably a good idea to just stay in the moment and continue to move forward. We’ve realized that even after last season we have a target on our back no matter who we’re playing. They always get excited to play us. It’s always fun to come to the rink and have another test.”

That the Bruins went to the Stanley Cup Final last season is reason enough they have a target on their backs, but playing as well as they have makes them an opponent other teams get up for every game, as well.

Given the Bruins aren’t yet at full strength, there is reason to believe their best games may still be in front of them.

“We’re missing a lot of guys too, so going into a game you always feel like you have to play your A-game as a veteran guy and maybe a guy with more minutes, you take a little bit more on your shoulders,” said Krug. It will be exciting when we see what our full lineup looks like.”

Looking for Moore

John Moore made his season debut after injuring his shoulder and rehabbing from surgery since the end of last season. He played on a pairing with Matt Grzelcyk, who shifted over to the right.

Patrice Bergeron, meanwhile, skated on his own ahead of Thursday’s optional morning skate and is expected to join the group on Friday. He’s been dealing with a lower body injury and has missed six consecutive contests.

Brett Ritchie, still recovering from an infection, could probably play if they needed him, but the Bruins are still being cautious as he missed his 12th of the past 16 games.

“Some of it has to do with the previous injury,” said Cassidy. “He returned, back on the injured list. We want to try to make sure we do it right this time by giving him that extra time to get the conditioning right and make sure that whatever’s going on inside of him, because of the exertion, is not going to act up again.”

Zach Senyshyn, dealing with a lower body injury of his own, is also expected to get back on the ice Friday. Cassidy also updated that Karson Kuhlman has not resumed skating since breaking his tibia.

Cassidy had no update on Kevan Miller, who had started skating with the team but has been off the ice since a setback from his broken kneecap sustained last year.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2rkxGzZ