Clifton Has Capitalized on Increased Opportunity

BOSTON - More than anything, Jim Montgomery appreciates Connor Clifton's outlook.
Despite a terrific start to the season, Boston's bench boss had some constructive criticism for the blue liner on Tuesday as they discussed how to better limit opponents' scoring chances while Clifton is on the ice. The blue liner, however, had another way to look at it.

"He's got a short memory. It's funny, [Tuesday] was the perfect example," Montgomery recalled. "I saw him, and I said, 'Do you see those scoring chances?' His scoring chances for are high and his scoring chances against are high…he said, 'Do you see how many chances I have though?' Like, he has a short memory. He's not a glass half full - it's full."
That type of approach has helped Clifton thrive early on in the 2022-23 campaign. The 27-year-old has seized the opportunity that's been presented by a barrage of injuries to Boston's back end over the opening six weeks of the season. The Bruins have been without Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, Brandon Carlo, and Derek Forbort for extended periods of time, leaving plenty of minutes for Clifton to take advantage of.
"I think we all stepped up, honestly," said Clifton, who ranks third on the Bruins in average time on ice per game (21:18) behind Hampus Lindholm (24:21) and McAvoy (21:23). "We were missing a lot of big pieces, especially to start the year. Good for us stepping up. We always talk about how we do it collectively. Not one guy is gonna pick up all Chuck's minutes but as a group of six we pick up some here or there and we did great."
Clifton formed a stout pairing with Forbort early in the season before Forbort was sidelined by surgery to repair his right middle finger on Nov. 3. That led to Clifton earning a promotion to play alongside Lindholm - who has been among the best defensemen in the NHL so far this season - a spot that he has remained in even after the return of McAvoy last week.
"I think the most underrated part of Cliffy's game is his hockey sense," said Montgomery. "He see's the ice really well. Good hockey players know what they're going to do with the puck before they get it, and he does. So, that allows Lindholm to play aggressively offensively and defensively because he knows his partner is going to be reading the game similar to him."

Clifton had strong praise for his new defense partner.
"He's a special player," said Clifton. "I think that's pretty obvious when you watch his game. So calm and collected with the puck. It's really impressive. You don't see him make a bad play in 60 minutes. It's kind of crazy."
Playing alongside Lindholm has also helped Clifton's offensive game. The Long Branch, New Jersey, native has two goals and three points over his last three games and eight points through 16 games this season, which is just two points shy of his career-high of 10 set in 60 games last season.
"I think my offensive skill set really hasn't taken a step forward the last couple years and it's finally doing so," said Clifton. "It's just about confidence. Confidence with the puck, not throwing it away and seeing your play and making it. When we score so many goals, you're gonna get a couple more goals that way, too."
Montgomery summoned a quote from Michael Jordan to describe the way he sees Clifton's game.
"I've always liked him as a player because he's a hockey player. He goes out and he tries to make things happen," said Montgomery. "I think it was Michael Jordan that said, 'Some people can make things happen and some people wonder what happens.' And you want players that can make things happen. That's why with him, I think us trying to play an aggressive style of hockey defensively and offensively leans towards his personality."

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