Bruins Aiming to Use Losing Streak as a Learning Tool

BOSTON - Jim Montgomery is trying not to get bogged down by the results of the last three games. Sure, the Bruins have been disappointed by their first multi-game losing streak of the season and know there is plenty to shore up.
But they're also trying to keep things in perspective.

Boston put forth a historic first half and is sitting at the top of the NHL standings through 50 games with a 38-7-5 record and 81 points, which is nine points clear of the Carolina Hurricanes, who check in as the league's second-best team.
And because of all that success, perhaps a bit of adversity - especially around the All-Star break - isn't such a bad thing.
"We're ecstatic with what our record is and how well we've consistently played," Montgomery said following Tuesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena. "Sometimes you get too immersed in the now and you tend to dwell on what's been happening. We're trying to recognize what we're doing wrong and correct it, so it doesn't become a prolonged funk.
"I think adversity only makes you better. I truly believe that. You fail in life, you get up, and you get stronger, and you get better. I think by the way we practiced today I was very encouraged by our group's mentality."
Bruins alternate captain Brad Marchand echoed those sentiments, saying that while the Black & Gold certainly want to continue their regular-season success, they are far more focused on the process, which will be crucial come the postseason - the time of the year, Marchand emphasized, that matters the most.
"You aren't going to coast through regardless. Listen, we're not that good. We're good, but we're not that good," said Marchand. "We're not going to run through this league, and we never thought that for a second. Even if you look at the games we won early on, we won because we play the right way, we play hard, and we just find a way to win. It's not like we're dominating every game. There's too much parody in this league.
"At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what you do in the regular season anyways. We could win every game, but if we don't win in the playoffs than it doesn't mean anything."

Charlie Coyle commended the guidance of Marchand and the rest of the Bruins' leadership core for hammering home that type of approach throughout this rough patch.
"We're a team that doesn't get alarmed," said Coyle. "That's part of the success that we've had is because we don't panic, whether it's in-game, whether it's a couple games that didn't go our way. We're able to refocus and nip it in the bud right away. That's the sign of a good team. We've got a lot of leadership that sets that tone and sets that standard."
Now, the Bruins must put that approach back into action. And they'll have a golden opportunity to do it on Wednesday night in their final game before the break as they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs, who sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 70 points.
"It's a great opportunity," said Montgomery. "You want to go into the break on a high. Playing the team that's right behind us - a really, really good hockey team. We're gonna have a great test and try to get out of this little funk that we're in."

DeBrusk Returns to Practice

Jake DeBrusk, donning a maroon non-contact jersey, practiced with the team for the first time since suffering hand and lower-body injuries at the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. The winger, who began skating on his own last week, is on target for a return to the Bruins' lineup in the first game after the bye week - a home matinee against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 11.
"I'd be shocked if he doesn't play," said Montgomery.

Lettieri Injured

In some unfortunate injury news, Vinni Lettieri, who was recalled from Providence along with Jakub Lauko on Tuesday morning, suffered a lower-body injury during his first practice and needed assistance getting off the ice. Lettieri, who did not travel with the B's to Toronto, was slated to be the P-Bruins' representative at this weekend's AHL All-Star Classic in Laval, Quebec, after leading Providence with 37 points and 16 goals in 41 games this season.

Lauko Gets Another Look

Lauko, who played seven games with the Bruins back in October and November, is back with the big club for the trip to Toronto. The 22-year-old, who last suited up for Boston on Nov. 3 in New York, skated as the right wing on a line with A.J. Greer and Trent Frederic during Tuesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena.
"I've been looking forward to it for the past couple of weeks," Lauko said of the call-up. "I was hoping to get a call and just happy that I got a call [on Monday] that I'm going to be traveling with the team tomorrow, so it's nice. I feel good and I'm very excited."
The Czechia native has eight goals and 14 points in 29 games for Providence this season and has registered points in eight of his last 12 games (five goals, five assists) dating back to Dec. 31.
"I think the last month, [my game's] in a place that I want it to be," said Lauko. "I'm playing by my standard now and hopefully I'll transfer that here and do my best."
Lauko acknowledged that it took him some time to get back to his game when he returned to Providence in early November after breaking camp with Boston, picking up a goal and an assist in seven games, while becoming a fixture on the fourth line with Nick Foligno and Tomas Nosek.
"It wasn't a complete disappointment," Lauko said of being sent to the AHL. "My whole stint here at the start of the season was more than I expected, so I was just happy that I had the opportunity to be here at first.
"My first month, it was kind of hard for me down there. I wasn't playing my game and I couldn't get it, but like I said, last month was great and I'm in a really good place right now and hopefully it's going to stay the same [on Wednesday]."

Tuesday's Practice Lines

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Pavel Zacha
Nick Foligno - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
A.J. Greer - Trent Frederic - Jakub Lauko/Vinni Lettieri
Jake DeBrusk
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton
Jakub Zboril
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman