Bruins Get Back to Basics

CALGARY, Alberta- The Bruins got back to basics on Sunday afternoon.
Following their 6-1 beat down at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks, Bruce Cassidy made sure his players put an emphasis on shoring up their defensive play - an aspect of Boston's game that has slipped over the last week or so.

During the course of a 40-minute workout at Stampede Corral Arena across the street from the Saddledome, Cassidy put his troops through the paces with several battle drills and plenty of D-zone work down low and in the slot. Much of what was implemented during the session was what Cassidy saw as deficiencies after watching the tape of Saturday night's loss to the Canucks.
"We built into practice. That's generally what we do after a video session, where we try to teach or get better in an area, we'll try to translate it into practice," Cassidy explained. "We play tomorrow, we play Tuesday, so we've got to be careful. It was a work day."
Despite their winning record, the Bruins could feel some slippage building in their defensive game over the last handful of games. And on Saturday night, all of those issues seemed to be exposed.
"It's been creeping into our game. We've been getting away from what's been good to us," said Patrice Bergeron. "Our defensive zone coverage has been lacking a little lately. We've got to tighten that up and yesterday was a perfect example…when you don't start on time and you have holes defensively that you don't take care of, and don't play the proper way and respect the game plan, that's what happens."

Bergeron is hoping Sunday's session translates into game action when the Bruins take on the Calgary Flames on Monday afternoon.
"We were expecting to work on that, to work on stopping in the slot, tight coverage and be battling in the corners," he said. "That's how you learn, that's how you get better and you become successful, that's how you you bring it into games, when you do it well in practices."

Miller on the Verge

Kevan Miller, who has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, practiced on Sunday without any limitations and has been termed a game-time decision for Monday's tilt with the Flames. If he can't go, a return to the lineup could come on Tuesday in Edmonton.
"He's much closer…I suspect that if it's not tomorrow it will be Tuesday because of [the back-to-back]," said Cassidy. "I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I'd be surprised if we didn't see him one of the two games."
Miller was not concerned about having any limitations upon his return, even if that means getting right back into it with a back-to-back.
"Obviously I want to get back in the lineup as soon as I can. Hopefully that happens," he said. "Feel good today, hoping to get in as soon as I can….I think conditioning is good, I've been skating a lot. I don't think that would be an issue if that were to arise. Whatever the team needs from me, I'm here for."

Still on Target

Cassidy will not be switching up his goaltending plan, despite Tuukka Rask playing just one period against Vancouver. Rask will still get the start on Monday against the Flames, with Anton Khudobin expected to get the nod on Tuesday in Edmonton.

DeBrusk Shines

Jake DeBrusk was, perhaps, the Bruins' best player in their loss to Vancouver on Saturday night. The rookie was buzzing from the start and clanked a laser off the post early in the first period, while landing four shots on goal.
He clearly had plenty of hop in his step with his father, Louie, broadcasting the game for Hockey Night in Canada from between the benches.
"He was chirping me," DeBrusk joked. "He was actually all business. I tried to talk to him and give him little smiles and stuff and he was all business. He wanted me to be in the zone. But I was in the zone."

Dress And Go

With the Calgary Hitmen hosting the Saskatoon Blades in WHL action at the Saddledome on Sunday afternoon, the Bruins practiced across the street at the Stampede Corral, a vintage barn constructed in 1950. As a result, the Bruins dressed in their locker room at the Saddledome before walking across the street and lacing up their skates.
The Corral is a throw back with no advertisements, high boards, and no nets above the glass.
"The corners are definitely different, the boards are higher, it's a cool building," said Bergeron.
Red Deer, Alberta, native Paul Postma had his two-year-old dog Copper on the ice with him following practice. His parents made the 90-minute trip to Calgary for Monday's game with the Flames.