“I hope I get a couple (of goals). I’m not going to lie’ — Jake DeBrusk on facing the Bruins
Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins
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When/where: Tuesday, 4 p.m., TD Garden
TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650
The buzz: Jake DeBrusk had his moments to remember and forget in seven seasons with the Bruins.
The big winger had a pair of 27-goal campaigns and another where he netted 25. However, the 14th overall selection in the 2015 draft also had prolonged scoring slumps — and even a trade request that was later rescinded — and free agency was his ticket to get market value and term.
The Canucks thought the same.
They knew DeBrusk was at his best in the playoffs last spring, and that is what they are banking on. Find your feet, get your game in order, and have a postseason presence. DeBrusk led the Bruins with 11 points (5-6) in 13 playoff games, was second in hits (53) and second among forwards in blocked shots (16).
DeBrusk, 28, also learned “The Boston Way” of versatility and compete by aligning with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand and also taking shifts with David Pastrnak. It is why the highly coveted left winger signed a seven-year, $38.5-million US free-agent contract here to bring size, bite, versatility, production and a more complete game.
Once again, DeBrusk started slow with no goals in his first nine Canuck games. However, he found mojo on the road, and all of his five goals, including two Saturday in a 4-3 win at Ottawa, have come away from Rogers Arena.
“And when he has a chance, he can just go and take off. The thing is information and talking to Jake every day to give him something — but you don’t want to overload guys. You hear inconsistent a lot and it’s my job to make him consistent.”
For DeBrusk, a second-round playoff loss to eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers spelled the end of his time in Boston, even though he did his part.
“I didn’t want to believe it. But when we lost, I knew it was over,” DeBrusk said Monday. “It hurt. I didn’t think they (Bruins) would do anything different with me and they didn’t. And then your move on.
“But it’s also an exciting second chapter for my career. I feel like I made the right decision. I hope I get a couple (of goals) tomorrow. I’m not going to lie.”
The hope: Boeser is good to go after suffering a concussion Nov. 7 on a brutal illegal and blind-side check to the head that resulted in a three-game suspension for winger Tanner Jeannot. Boeser had four goals in his previous seven games before being sidelined.
“He looked good today,” added Tocchet. “I’ll talk to him to see if he’s ready to go tomorrow (Tuesday). He hasn’t had any (symptoms) the last bunch of days and we sped it up (pace) a little bit today.
“He’s our scorer. You want a guy who can add offence and stay to our identity. He’s good without the puck.”
The projected lineup:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Sherwood
Joshua-Suter-Garland
Heinen-Blueger-Boeser*
Hoglander-Raty-Sasson
Hughes-Hronek
Soucy-Myers
Brannstrom-Juulsen
Lankinen
(*Boeser playing decision at game-day skate).
The prediction: The Canucks take advantage of the Bruins in transition with new interim coach after Jim Montgomery was fired and hired Sunday by St. Louis. Boston is lowest scoring team.