Seguin working towards shoot-first mentality

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BOSTON -- It will likely serve as a refresher course for Tyler Seguin when its looked back upon later in the season, and nothing more.

The 19-year-old was talking shots on net and staying aggressive after Wednesdays practice after only registering a pair of shots on net in Bostons 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. Seguin did notch an assist when he fed a trailing Patrice Bergeron for a snappy looking second-period goal that highlighted the youngsters superior vision on the ice, but he also turned down some good chances to pursue his own offense.

There wasnt a more clear example than the very same second period when Seguin had turned on the jets to split through two Senators defenderssomething hes done multiple times already through his young careerand carved out an open pathway to the net where one hadnt existed just seconds prior by leaving Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson in his dust.

Instead of pressing the issue with a shot on Craig Anderson or drawing a penalty on one of the defenders now in chase mode, Seguin attempted to throw a drop-back pass to Brad Marchand trailing on the play. That passwhich happened prior to Seguins sweet set up on Bergerons goalwas deflected away from Marchand, and amounted to very little where it could have been a big play generated by Bostons best offensive playmakers at a time of need.

Seguin was aware that he needs to be a little more assertive with his own offense at times rather than caving into the centers first instinct to pass the puck.

I do think I need to shoot more," said Seguin. "I remember there was one play last night where I went down on the D and went one way and cut back the other way. I watched the replay and I almost had a clear breakaway but I decided to pass.

My instinct is always to look backdoor, but I've got to stop trying to be maybe too fancy and put pucks to the net. I know I've seen myself this year when I shoot more being rewarded, so I have to continue doing that and not give away good shots."

But on the other hand Seguin is second on the Bs with 36 shots in 11 games, and has done a good job of putting himself into scoring position as attested by his team-leading four goalsa spot he shares with Milan Lucic on a team that hasnt really hit its goal-scoring stride quite yet. Bergeron actually leads the Bruins with 39 shots on net this season, and it makes sense to pair the teen-aged playmaker with a skilled two-way center like Bergeron that will be able to finish off some of the plays out on the ice.

Coach Claude Julien thinks his young point-scoring hotshot is going to get better at plays just like the one from Tuesday nights game, and it comes with experience, confidence and perhaps even a little toughness at times.

We reviewed the video, and personally you wish Seguin would have taken it to the net and maybe drawn a penalty there, said Julien. He had half a step, but there were also two players behind him that were kinda open. Guys like that are playmakers, and you dont want to be too hard on them when theyre making decisions like that.

You see the pass he made to Bergeron, so hes capable of making those plays. You dont want to take that away from him. Hes a guy that can take the puck to the net with his speed. There are times where hes capable of taking it to the net, and a young player builds confidence and gains confidence in taking it to the net. Theres always a chance youre going to get slashes or whacked on the ankles taking pucks to the net, and you have to be willing to do that.

Its a fine line with Seguin, of course. Hes already second on the team in shots and he has a wonderfully unselfish bent to his game where hes looking to set up his teammates for scoring chances on the ice. None of that needs to change if Seguin gets just a touch more assertive when the puck is on his stick with a chance to do some offensive damage.

Because more and more thats looking like Bostons best option to put a couple of goals up on the board.

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