Jeremy Lauzon has staying power for Bruins

TAMPA — Jeremy Lauzon was called up from Providence and inserted into the Bruins’ lineup on Jan. 21 as a way to inject some physicality after the B’s blew a three-goal lead to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Now it looks like it’s his job to lose.

Since that first game, a win over the Vegas Golden Knights just before the bye week/All-Star break, Lauzon has played in every game but the two for which he was suspended for a high hit on Arizona’s Derek Stepan.

“He’s earned it and he deserves to be in,” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “I think he and (Matt Grzelcyk) have made a good pair. It’s not so much about what Johnny (Moore) wasn’t doing, it’s what they do together as a pair with Lauzy in there. They just seem to be able read off each other a little smoother than Johnny did. We’ve stuck with it. We’re going to do what’s best for the team. Unfortunately, it’s bumped Johnny and (Connor Clifton) out, but that’s the way it goes. And until he shows us he can’t do it, then we’ll give him every opportunity.”

Lauzon has a goal and an assist and is plus-5 in 15 games and has brought a shutdown element to the third pair. He also gives the B’s another option on the penalty kill.

The 22-year-old Quebec native is starting to feel more comfortable in his NHL skin.

“I’m not feeling the pressure right now. I just like how I’m playing, I like being around here. I think it’s shown on the ice. And it’s easy playing with a guy like Grzelcyk. He’s a good puck mover and he makes my job easier,” said Lauzon.

The only thing keeping it from being a perfect fit is the fact that he’s a left-handed shot playing on the right side. Lauzon has played the right side in junior hockey, but the game comes at you a lot faster at the NHL level.

Lauzon has also found himself in the penalty box a little too often. He’s been tagged with six minors and got himself on the Department of Player Safety radar with his hit on Stepan. With the way he plays, getting tagged by the referees every once in a while is inevitable. His aggression is also something that’s keeping him in the lineup. But it’s something he has to keep an eye on.

“I’m an aggressive player and sometimes I get carried away. I like to defend hard and sometimes I get caught up in that part. I can’t change my game. I think they like how I defend hard. But obviously, I just have to be a little more careful,” said Lauzon.

Marchand good to go

Brad Marchand missed the morning skate because he was “under the weather,” said Cassidy. He was termed a game-time decision in the morning but he was able to play.

While Cassidy planned to stick with Jake DeBrusk regardless of Marchand’s availability, he needed to see more from his slumping left wing. DeBrusk went into the game on 10-game pointless streak.

“Well, it’s been better,” said Cassidy of DeBrusk’s game. “Jake gets streaky and that’s what we’re trying to avoid, the consistency issue. That’s usually what separates you. … Jake’s a good player but if he wants to get to the next level, it’s about getting out of these sort of slumps quicker. There are going to be times when he doesn’t score and he still plays well. We want him to do that. We appreciate his board work, his back check, his forechecking, all those things. But I think he has to get inside a little more, some second chances around the net. That’s usually how it works. You’re in tough one, goalie’s are seeing everything, you’ve got to get one of those ugly ones around the net. Sometimes that happens. On the power play, we’re using Coyle in that spot, so that’s probably worked against him for offensive numbers. Maybe tonight if Marchie doesn’t end up playing, it will be a good thing for him to see top people the whole night and play with Bergie and Pasta, who demand you play a good 200 foot game.”

Injury updates

The B’s won’t be getting any sympathy from the Lightning. Steven Stamkos is out of the lineup after undergoing surgery on his core on Monday. He’s out 6-to-8 weeks while Ryan McDonagh (lower body) remains out of the lineup, but he started skating Tuesday.

Chris Wagner returned to the lineup after missing a game an upper body injury.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2TAtN4b