For weeks, or in some cases, years, this is the opportunity that several Boston Bruins supporters have been waiting for.
With injuries piling up in the back, Urho Vaakanainen left AHL and had a chance to play the main pair with Charlie McAvoy. Jakub Zboril, who became a pillar of the team when healthy, has been with Brandon Carlo in recent games. Defenders John Moore and Connor Clifton, often scratched, have been playing a lot more lately.
But the end result was two brutal performances, with the Bruins being defeated in both consecutive games. After dropping 7-2 to the New York Islanders on Thursday, they lost 6-2 on Friday to the Rangers.
Many guys are being put in bigger roles than they are used to. But Bruce Cassidy is not allowing this to be an excuse.
“I don’t think (the question) is very big – they are NHL players or they have been in the American League. I mean, this is the opportunity they want, right?
“I mean, Vaak was there, Zboril was there. Cliffy has been on the sidelines. Johnny Moore is looking forward to getting in – so here it is, like, take it. “
Cassidy admitted a few things. Among them that the message of the coaching staff has to be better, the attackers need to help more in the attack and get a punctual defense here or there. In other words, not everything is in defense.
But at this point, that is obviously the most glaring question.
The Bruins have Steven Kampfer on the trip with them, so maybe we can see his season debut on Sunday, when the Bruins face the Rangers again. Boston also came out and claimed exemption from defender Jarred Tinordi’s exemptions.
Miniature photo via POOL PHOTOS / USA TODAY Sports Images