FEATURE: Boqvist Feels More Comfortable in NHL

NEWARK, N.J.- Forward Jesper Boqvist carried the puck over the Philadelphia blue line. He pivoted and passed across the ice to linemate Mikhail Maltsev, whose shot attempt from the top circle was blocked.
Seconds later, Boqvist would collect the puck above the circles, juked blueliner Travis Sanheim and then ripped a shot that saw the puck smack off the post with a cacophonous clank.

After hitting the post, the Flyers attempted a stretch pass out of the zone. It was intercepted by rookie defenseman Kevin Bahl, playing in his first-career NHL game. The Devils counterattacked quickly. The Flyers overcommitted with three players at the wall. But it was Maltsev who came away with the puck and found Merkley entering the zone.
Merkley and Boqvist had essentially a 2-on-1. Merkley passed across to Boqvist, who laid into a one-timer from his knee that saw the puck hit just under the crossbar. Boqvist's shot was in by inches.
"We had a couple looks right before that too, me and 'Maltsy,'" Boqvist said after the game. "On my goal a great pass by 'Merks.' I just tried to hit the net."

Boqvist did hit the net. And his timing couldn't have been more impeccable. The goal, which came 12 seconds after he hit the post, re-staked a two-goal lead for the Devils, 3-1, and answered Philadelphia's shorthanded goal from 1:46 minutes prior.
"A lot of times you talk about momentum and changing momentum," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought that line did a great job. His goal helped changed the momentum back in our favor after giving up that disappointing goal."
The goal showed flashes of why the Devils selected Boqvist in the second round (36th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft: his burst of speed combined with excellent hands.
"He's skating well. His strength is his skating," Ruff said. "Even through (training) camp it was something I noticed. It's an area he excels at.
"I think his greatest asset is still what he can make happen with his legs."
Boqvist, 22, displayed some of those talents when he made his NHL debut last season, potting four goals in 35 games. This year, he made the NHL club at the start of the season, but was re-assigned to Binghamton for nearly two months. During that stretch, he posted nearly a point-per-game with seven (2G-5A) in eight contests before being recalled in late March.
"I had a good time in 'Bingo' too, eight games. Gained some confidence," Boqvist said. "I'm feeling pretty good. Since then, not too many bad games (in the NHL)."
Ruff believes that stint in the AHL was important for Boqvist's development and maturation.
"Obviously players are disappointed (with being sent to the AHL). They want to play here," Ruff said. "Their goal to get back is play really well at that level and be a difference maker, and it's your ticket to get back.
"The few games I was able to watch (Boqvist) play, the one game he scored two goals in. He made a statement that he wanted to be back. He wanted another shot at it."
He got that shot with a recall on March 26. Boqvist scored two goals and posted four points in his first seven games back in the NHL lineup. And he credits his success to his comfort level.
"Compared to last year I feel way more comfortable," the 6-foot, 180-pounder said. "I feel like I belong more."