Bruins Learning to Grind It Out

BOSTON - It has been a grueling few weeks for the Bruins.
Injuries have decimated the roster, particularly on the back end, yet Boston has found a way to pile up points. And they're doing so with plenty of grind.
Without Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara for the last six games, the Bruins have posted an impressive 4-1-1 record, with five of those contests being decided by one goal and three lasting into overtime or the shootout.

"Pretty apparent in the last five games or so, one-goal games, we're getting comfortable playing in them," said Torey Krug. "A lot of guys are playing some heavy minutes against top lines that normally don't do that, so guys are getting more comfortable in those situations and we're starting to play better."
It is a scenario that could pay dividends later in the year with so many young players gaining valuable experience in high-pressure situations.
"It is for sure," said Krug. "I think when you have guys in different situations that they're not used to and something does happen down the road in bigger games with a lot more riding on the line then I think we'll be comfortable with anybody that steps into that situation. The best part of being a good team is having good organizational depth"

With so many players sidelined, many of whom contribute heavily to the offense, the Bruins have struggled to score goals (they're averaging just over two a game with Bergeron and Chara out). But strong goaltending and the league's top defense (2.40 goals allowed per game) are helping to carry the Bruins, who remain 5 points clear of a playoff spot with the fifth-highest points total in the NHL (32).
"We are trying to understand how we can win hockey games and collect points while we're missing key players, so I give a lot of credit to the forwards for understanding that," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "They're not just trying to make high-risk decisions with the puck all the time…I think they're working hard as a group.
"But at the end of the day we have to give credit where it's due and that's the goaltending. It's been rock-solid for us, and I think they understand as much as anything that, 'Listen, we're having trouble scoring goals.'
"If we want to win games, we have to be dialed in and can't really afford to have a night off until we get our offense going."
The Bruins will look to continue that trend on Saturday night when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night at TD Garden (7 p.m. on NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub).
Here's everything else you need to know:

Tuukka Time Again

Tuukka Rask was the No. 1 reason the Bruins walked away with 2 points on Thursday night against the Islanders. His 28-save (plus four more in the shootout) performance was his latest strong outing since returning from a leave of absence earlier this month.
In four games since the LOA, Rask is 2-0-2 with a .944 save percentage and 1.70 goals against average. Among goalies that have made at least three starts during that span, Rask is fifth in both save percentage and goals against average (Jaroslav Halak is fourth in both categories).
"I don't know," Rask said when asked for the reason behind his success. "You just kind of work hard in practice, try to get some shots and work with the goalie coach, and then when the game time comes, you try to be there.
"Some days you are, some days you aren't. And the past few games I have. It's a mystery. I don't know. I want to do it every night, but you know [it doesn't always happen]."

Cassidy is going back to Rask against the Red Wings, giving him his first back-to-back starts since Nov. 5 and 8.
"He's played well. Real solid for us, so is Halak," said Cassidy. "We haven't really strung a few games together for Tuukka now since I don't know when - the start of the year.
"Got four next week, so we thought it would be a good time this week, couple home games. We have a few days off since Montreal. It's as good a time as any. Hopefully he's up for it."

Krejci Gets A Day

David Krejci took a heavy open-ice hit from Thomas Hickey at the end of the second period on Thursday night, which knocked loose some teeth onto the TD Garden ice. Fortunately, old friend Johnny Boychuk was there to save the day.
The Islanders defenseman picked up the missing chiclets and delivered them to the Bruins bench, a gesture that left Cassidy quite amused.
"I didn't see Johnny do that," Cassidy said after the game on Thursday night. "Brought it back to our bench? On his own? He did? I love Johnny - he's a good guy - but that's weird."
Krejci did not practice on Friday, but Cassidy believes the center will "fine" for Saturday's tilt with the Red Wings.
"Maintenance day for him, took a hit there," said Cassidy. "Mouth's a little sore, so gave him the day…should be fine tomorrow, but we'll see him at morning skate."

Carlo Looks Good

Brandon Carlo practiced in full once again on Friday and appears poised for a return from his upper-body injury against Detroit. The blue liner has missed the last nine games.
"Carlo looks good," said Cassidy. "Will be a game-time decision, but looks like he's moved to probable."

McAvoy Progressing

Charlie McAvoy also skated with the team on Friday, but was still donning a maroon non-contact jersey. He has not played since Oct. 18 in Edmonton and appears to be at least a few days from returning to game action.
"He's doing a little more work which is, again, progressing well," said Cassidy. "Once he's out of that maroon jersey and practicing full-go, then we can start projecting an entry date."

Opposing View

The Red Wings come to town losers of three of the four games since their 3-2 overtime win over the Bruins on Thanksgiving Eve at Little Caesars Arena. The one victory came on Wednesday in St. Louis behind two goals from Tyler Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi ranks third on Detroit in goals behind Andreas Athanasiou (11 - two of which came in the win over the Bruins last week) and Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha (nine apiece). Larkin paces the Wings in scoring with 21 points.
Overall, Detroit is 11-11-3 (25 points), just two points back of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Friday's Practice Lineup

Brad Marchand - Colby Cave - David Pastrnak
Danton Heinen - Lee Stempniak/Jan Kovar - Jake DeBrusk
Ryan Donato - Joakim Nordstrom/JFK - Noel Acciari
Chris Wagner - Sean Kuraly - David Backes
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - John Moore
Jeremy Lauzon - Connor Clifton
Steven Kampfer - Charlie McAvoy
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak