BOSTON – The phrase “next man up” has been overused in New England and the rest of the nation this year. In New England, the NFL’s Patriots, have suffered so many devastating injuries to key players that too many next men have attempted to fill in with various levels of success.
Pre-game preparations in Boston – photo by Don.Haas@prohockeynews.com
The Boston Bruins are now facing this same situation with an injury to center David Krejci and a three game suspension to Brad Marchand. Krejci and Marchand are two of the team’s top four scorers. Krejci had 33 points in his 35 games played. Marchand, suspended for a low hit against Ottawa, has 15 goals on the season, leading the Bruins team.
For the Winter Classic this afternoon against heated rival the Montreal Canadiens, the Bruins and Head Coach, Claude Julien, will be shuffling lines to somehow get some scoring from other Bruins. Over the last few days, Providence has been the resource for the “next men”. Winger Seth Griffith who played one game last week, recorded an assist in his 2015-16 debut for the big club. Alex Khokhlachev was recalled two days ago and practiced yesterday at Gillette Stadium with the Bruins. Khokhlachev was called up earlier this season and has played four games this season yet has seen very little ice time and recorded no points.
The top line today will feature Patrice Bergeron at center with Loui Eriksson and Griffith on the wings. Ryan Spooner will step up for Krejci on the second forward line. Spooner was the third line center but has been playing well of late and has the coaches’ confidence in his new role. At this juncture it appears that Matt Beleskey will move from wing to center on the third line, with Max Talbot centering the fourth line. Who plays with who on those lines is yet to be determined?
So, what to watch for today is several Bruins stepping up to fill in for those missing Bruins top scorers. All hands on deck today at the home of the New England Patriots in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium. “Next man up” has been the mantra of Bill Belichick over the course of his tenure here with the Pats. Today we shall witness how the Bruins handle the same type of adversity at the same venue as the four time Super Bowl Champions. Who will rise up today?
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