Cehlarik still looking for elusive first goal with Bruins

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BRIGHTON – Peter Cehlarik has had some pretty good looks in his first few weeks at the NHL level, but hasn’t been able to notch that first career goal for the Bruins.

The 21-year-old almost had it in a Feb. 24 win over the Los Angeles Kings before it was overturned on a coach’s challenge, and Cehlarik has had some quality scoring chances he hasn’t finished while skating on a line with prime playmaker David Krejci. Clearly the Slovakian winger has flashed some very good offensive skills, and has a couple of assists in his nine games played for the Black and Gold entering Mondaynight.

But Cehlarik is still looking for his first goal and has just seven shots on net thus far, and must be feeling some of the pressure to score playing a top-6 role where production is a prerequisite.

“It [is weighing on him] to a certain extent,” said Bruce Cassidy. “Any young guy that’s an offensive player that’s had the looks he’s had is probably wondering if he’s ever going to score, or if he does are they going to count it?

“He’s just got to play through it. The good news is that we’re winning games and he’s doing his job away from the puck. He’s not a liability out there, and he’s still making plays and the puck is finding him. If I’m him, I’d be worried if the puck stops finding him. That’s when your game needs adjustments when the puck isn’t finding you. As long as he sticks with it, and doesn’t start squeezing his stick too hard or thinking too much…he’s going to get his goals.”

Cehlarik will continue riding on the left wing with Krejci for the time being and a goal or two could go a long way toward securing his spot as a top-6 winger for the foreseeable future. Don’t be surprised, however, if current third line right wing Drew Stafford gets a look on the left side with Krejci at some point given his size and his reputation as a proven goal-scorer at the NHL.

For now, though, Cehlarik is getting a golden chance to succeed in his first NHL go-around with Krejci and David Pastrnak, but the production has to start catching up to the promise if he wants to stick around there. 

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