BRIGHTON -- After Ryan Donato was one of the last Bruins players off the ice at practice on Wednesday, the rookie winger was again on the ice late at morning skate today. That could only mean one thing: He’ll be a healthy scratch tonight against the Edmonton Oilers.
With Donato kicked up to the press box, Joakim Nordstrom will slide into the left-wing spot alongside David Krejci, with Jake DeBrusk moving over to the right wing.
Bruce Cassidy confirmed the move following Thursday morning’s skate at Warrior Ice Arena, and basically said it was a learning moment for the 22-year-old Donato after his play without the puck wasn’t very good versus Ottawa. Donato has a goal in his three games played this season, but was a minus-2 in the aforementioned win over the Sens where his defensive zone play wasn’t all that sharp.
“It’s fairly straightforward. We’re not set on who is going to be our 13th forward and we’re looking at different combinations,” said Cassidy. “At the end of the day [the message] is ‘to play better.’ That’s usually the last message if guys are confused and he’s not by any means. But if that’s the case, you say, ‘Listen, you just need to earn your spot and keep it.’
“How do you play better? For me I thought the last game his details weren’t great. That’s on us to make them better and teach him. Some of that is him picking it up, but we’re going to meet halfway on that one.”
Clearly it’s not a move to bump up the offense on the second line; Nordstrom only scired two goals and seven points in 75 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. If it was about sending a subtle message to Donato about the state of his game, then that has been sent and received by the young winger at this early spot in the season.
“I just take it as a learning lesson,” said Donato. “I’d be crazy not to be hungry to get back into the lineup. But there are things they’ve pointed out that I’ve got to look into and work on. A lot of last year’s [rookies] came up to me and said it’s a normal thing and don’t get too upset. There are a lot of highs and lows during the season, and it’s still very early in the year. I’ve just got to take it as a positive.”
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Is Donato pissed about not playing?
“In a good way,” said Donato. “I’m supportive of my teammates and where they’re coming from. I’m more pissed off at myself to want to get back into the lineup.”
Also of interest, Jaroslav Halak will get the start in net for the Bruins after last appearing one week ago in the shutout win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Here are the projected line combos and D-pairings for tonight’s game vs. the Oilers based on Thursday’s morning skate:
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Nordstrom-Krejci-DeBrusk
Heinen-Backes-Bjork
Wagner-Kuraly-Acciari
Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
Halak