Bruins notebook: Power-play surge a positive sign

The Bruins power play came alive again on their road trip and the results were there.

That’s no accident, and neither is the power play’s newfound life.

Some adjustments in Winnipeg got results on the game-winning goal, but in Minnesota the amped up power play really hit its stride in a blowout victory the Bruins are hoping to carry over into a stretch of consecutive back-to-backs.

There’s something to the new approach that has worked, and if it continues, that dangerous Bruins power play from before the All-Star break might be back.

“I think we went back to sticking with less and maybe a little more assertive with passes and bringing the puck on net,” said Patrice Bergeron. “I think there’s lots of options on the power play. There’s some that we use more than others. We need to utilize all of them and I think when we go back to that it puts the penalty kill on their heels a little bit and things open up.”

Torey Krug‘s success — scoring twice in Minnesota — was the power play at its best, with everyone filling into other roles and adjusting on the fly.

“Filling each other’s position, when we do that all the options are there and which one to use, or I guess take what’s open and not force plays,” said Bergeron. “I think when we go back to that good things happen.”

The power play isn’t going to score three times every night, and there’s still going to be nights when they don’t at all, but the way it has started to look is a good sign for the toughest patch of the season where the Bruins need their best unit clicking.

Kuraly back; Heinen out

Sean Kuraly sat out the game in Minnesota per coach’s decision, but he returned against the Canucks on Tuesday night in place of Danton Heinen. Heinen was injured against the Wild, and while he was ready to go against Vancouver, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy decided to sit him out in favor of Par Lindholm and Anton Blidh.

Heinen, who has seven goals and 14 assists on the season, hasn’t scored since Jan. 7 and has a single point — an assist — in his last five games.

Kuraly’s absence was performance related as well on Saturday. He last scored on Jan. 16 but has two points in his last 11 contests overall dating back to Jan. 2.

Cassidy has stressed internal competition over the most recent stretch, which has included Karson Kuhlman earning a spot back and Blidh playing well enough to get himself into a role, so it’s not going to be a given even for regulars in the next couple of weeks.

Nordstrom out with illness

Joakim Nordstrom missed practice on Sunday and didn’t skate again Monday ahead of the Bruins game with the Canucks as he deals with an allergy-related issue.

Blidh and Lindholm stayed in the lineup, with Blidh working on the wing and Lindholm in the center slot of the fourth line, where typically Kuraly centers and Nordstrom will play the wing.

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