BOSTON -- Several Bruins players have stepped up in the absence of leading scorer David Pastrnak, but none more prominently than second-year winger Jake DeBrusk.
The left wing became a 20-goal scorer for the first time in his NHL career earlier this week and he was at it again in Thursday night's impressive 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, potting Boston’s first goal of the game. It was DeBrusk’s seventh goal and 12th point in the last eight games, which have pretty much coincided with Pastrnak’s thumb injury. Because of him, the Bruins haven't missed an offensive beat without their leading goal-scorer.
“[He’s] energetic, his legs are there. You can see it,” said Bruce Cassidy. “He’s winning foot races on a regular basis, and right now there are not many guys that can catch [him] once that puck goes one way if they haven’t already started. He’s getting by them. His breakaway was a good example of that. He gets a little bit of a step and guy has to pivot. He’s gone. He’s going to the dirty areas, and his overall game is better.
“We have to remind him of certain details, but [against Tampa Bay] I thought he was reloading through the middle as well. [He] broke up a play with their 'D' coming [and] that’s a big part of their offense. It was a big part of our meeting this morning about working back. As a coach, I want to see him grow his game. That’s part of the process for these young guys [if] you want to win in the long run . . . (there are times when) you’re not going to score in seven in eight games . . . and you still have to bring that other stuff. That’s the message I hope Jake is getting out of this too, that he’s delivering in other areas.”
It’s a far cry from the guy that went over a month without a goal prior to his hot streak, and that kind of confident, attacking game is one DeBrusk wants to keep going through the final months of the season and into the playoffs. On a team that desperately needs secondary scoring for success against good teams like the Lightning, the continued production for DeBrusk is an absolute must.
“Compared to what [my game] was before, I’m just getting some nice bounces right now,” said DeBrusk, who is on a pace right now for just a tick under 30 goals for this season. “[But there were] also some great passes, so I’m just trying to continue to execute, and try to put that puck in the net as much as possible.”
DeBrusk has fired 27 shots on net in those eight games while active and aggressive around the net, so it’s much more than simply getting the good bounces. The 22-year-old is arguably the single biggest reason the B's keep winning without No. 88 around.
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Right now it's all about a somewhat streaky young player in the middle of a ridiculously productive stretch, but one that DeBrusk will need to bring once the postseason hits, and Pastrnak returns, as well.
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