Bruins Notebook: Barry Trotz takes aim at Patrice Bergeron

New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz made sure to praise Patrice Bergeron as one of the best in the face-off business on Sunday.

But then, the Islanders bench boss stuck the knife in with a few purposeful words.

“He’s a veteran guy who knows how to cheat on the face-offs and I’m relying on our very capable officiating crew and linesmen to make sure the cheating doesn’t go on because he’s good at it,” said Trotz. “All the veteran guys are. He’s not the only one. Trust me. But he’s good at it and he’s very capable and he’s been a top center and face-off guy for a long time.”

Those comments were made prior to the series’ shift for Game 5 back to Boston, where the Bruins will have the last change and the visiting face-off man must put his stick down first before the draw, giving the home draw man a slight advantage.

The Islanders, mostly with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, have actually done very well against Bergeron in this series. After Game 1 in Boston, in which Bergeron had his typical dominant night by winning 13-of-18 draws, he won just 24-of-63 in the next three games.

Trotz, surely, was trying to make sure that trend continued and there was no repeat of Game 1.

“He said it was a veteran play. I think it was a veteran play by him as a coach to talk to try to get the linesmen and the officials to think about it,” said Bergeron on Monday morning.

This kind of gamesmanship aimed at Bergeron’s prowess in the face-off circle is nothing new from opposing coaches. Former Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Babcock would often kvetch to the officials about Bergeron not coming to the required stop before the puck drop, something to which Trotz also alluded. As a result of Babcock’s complaints, Bergeron often found himself getting tossed out of circle.

Asked how effective this kind of lobbying is, Bergeron said: “I’m not sure. You’re obviously trying to put the word out there and see what happens. That being said, for me, as a player, I’m going to play my game and worry about what I can control and do what I can to help my team win. That’s all I can really do.”

Kuhlman in, DeBrusk out

As expected, coach Bruce Cassidy tweaked his third line for Game 5, going with the right-handed Karson Kuhlman over lefty Jake DeBrusk, who’d been having trouble playing on his off side. It appears Mat Barzal‘s go-ahead goal in Game 4, for which the third line was on the ice, was what forced the change.

Kuhlman also played in Game 2, the overtime loss at the Garden when Craig Smith was unavailable because of a leg injury.

“What Kuhlie typically brings is high energy, he gets his feet moving,” said Cassidy. “I think the first game he was in, there was some apprehension about how much time and space he was going to have. It’s a physical series, so sometimes you need some shifts under your belt and I thought as the game went on he got better. So good play away from the puck. Again, help us win. Do what you do best, which is get in on the forecheck. He can certainly create some secondary offense and shoot the puck. He can get in and disrupt some of the breakouts. He does it more with his foot speed and stick than physicality but he’s certainly capable of finishing some checks if they’re there. They’ve typically matched (Andy) Greene and (Noah) Dobson against the third line so Greene’s not a huge guy either down his left side so there shouldn’t be a mismatch there in winning puck battles.(Kuhlman) is a consistent, solid player. The other thing he’s good at it is keeping his motor running. If he doesn’t get shifts if we get into power-play and penalty kill situations where he’s not getting out there, he stays in the game. We value that part of his game as well.”

Carlo begins skating

Both Brandon Carlo and Kevan Miller skated after the team’s morning skate and were unavailable for Game 5, but Cassidy did not rule them out for Wednesday’s Game 6 on Long Island. It was particularly good news for Carlo, who was knocked woozy on a Cal Clutterbuck hit in Game 3 at Nassau Coliseum. Carlo was concussed earlier this year on a Tom Wilson hit and suffered previous concussion in his rookie season.

“We’ll see where he’s at (Tuesday) for Game 6,” said Cassidy …

Bergeron on his 10th consecutive Selke Award nomination: “I think it’s a compliment to my teammates, to be honest with you… I’m focusing on the playoffs. That’s why we play the game. But it’s obviously a great honor, I’m not going to lie. But with that being said, I think it goes with how we perform as a team and how my teammates have helped throughout the year.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3fWna8K