Even the Boston Bruins, who will mark their Centennial Game in under two months, continue to face new experiences.
On Saturday night, they embark on their first Western Conference road trip of the season, making history by playing their inaugural game against the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City.
“I’ve heard the crowd here is amazing, and the energy in the Delta Center is fantastic,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said following Friday’s practice at the Olympic Oval. “That should energize Utah as they prepare to play at home for the first time in five games.” The Bruins kicked off their three-game trip with a strong 5-3 victory over the still-winless Colorado Avalanche in Denver, dominating the first two periods.
Montgomery feels it’s time to remove the “fourth line” label from his trio of John Beecher, Mark Kastelic, and Cole Koepke. Both wingers scored against the Avalanche, earning them each a league-leading plus-9 rating, while Kastelic is at plus-8.
“The way they’ve been playing is impressive, and they’re earning the ice time they’re getting,” Montgomery told the Boston Globe. “Their attention to detail, work ethic, and support for each other both offensively and defensively are key to their success.”
The significance of their contributions has quickly become evident.
“This whole line has been incredible for us,” defenseman Hampus Lindholm noted, as reported by the Globe. “They’re the hardest workers out there and they deserve everything they earn.”
Beecher has netted goals in consecutive games.
Lindholm contributed a goal and an assist, leading five Boston scorers against Colorado, while Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves, securing his first win since being traded from Ottawa during the offseason.
Meanwhile, Utah returns home after a four-game road trip. Their recent 5-4 overtime loss to Anaheim kept them just shy of becoming only the fourth team in NHL history to win four of their first five games.
Despite allowing a game-tying goal in the third period before losing in overtime, coach Andre Tourigny praised his team’s effort.
“I think they battled hard. I really appreciate our competitiveness,” Tourigny said. “Overall, there are plenty of positives.”
Jack McBain and Barrett Hayton scored in the first period for Utah, with Hayton already tallying four goals this season, compared to three in 33 games last year.
Two goals from Michael Kesselring and Clayton Keller in the third period gave Utah a 4-3 lead before Anaheim equalized with just over five minutes remaining.
Utah has scored at least four goals in every game except for Monday’s 3-0 shutout loss at New Jersey.
“I thought we played well at times, but we made a few mistakes,” Kesselring commented after Wednesday’s game.
Injuries have compelled the Utah Hockey Club to finish consecutive games with only five defensemen. Robert Bortuzzo exited Wednesday’s game in the third period but returned to practice on Friday afternoon.
Sean Durzi, who sustained an upper-body injury on Monday, is facing a longer recovery, expected to miss 4-5 months and may require surgery.
John Marino (upper-body) is also “months” away from returning, according to Tourigny.
“You can’t replace those players,” Tourigny stated. “Instead, you need to focus on doing what you do best for a longer period. Everyone has to be a little more consistent.”