After beating the Washington Capitals on Sunday in the first exhibition game of the 2021-22 season, the Boston Bruins traveled to New York and dropped a 3-2 contest to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden Tuesday.
The B’s beat the Washington Capitals on the road Sunday in a 3-2 shootout, getting regulation goals from Jake DeBrusk and Erik Haula, plus strong performances in net by Jeremy Swayman and Troy Grosenick.
Against the Rangers, the B’s went with Linus Ullmark and Kyle Keyser between the pipes, and after falling behind 0-2, saw Jack Studnicka and Urho Vaakanainen score to even the contest in the second period. The tie was short-lived as Artemi Panarin converted a breakaway late in the second frame (his third point of the game) to give the home team a 3-2 lead, holding it for the final 20 minutes.
The challenge for the Bruins in the early going is finding enough ice for the many players, veterans and youngsters, who are in camp with the team. This piece breaks down three standout performers from the Rangers game and three players who did not shine. It will also analyze some of the individuals in the early camp sessions and game action while doing a quick preview of Boston’s next preseason game at home against the Flyers on Thursday.
Bruins-Rangers: 3 up
It showed, as he was playing fast, hard, and was able to power through contact.
Like the rest of the team, Studnicka’s start in N.Y. was sluggish, with the B’s not able to get much going offensively until they improved their defensive zone low-to-high puck movement in the second period and the transition took off. Mike Reilly’s blue line-to-blue line pass to Studnicka started it, and after the center bumped the puck to Fabian Lysell, he went to the net and buried Lysell’s return pass.
“That’s where the game opened up for us,” Bruce Cassidy said of the first Boston goal. “We got some transition opportunities, laser in off the rush, (Studnicka) moves his feet, Lysell moves his feet and all of the sudden their ‘D’ aren’t able to hold the line on us. So, good spot for Jack- (he) finishes. He had a couple of other chances around the net, I think there was a wraparound he got maybe from (Mike) Reilly. Again, a similar situation getting through the neutral zone all of a sudden we’re around their net, so good for Jack in that regard.”
Studnicka’s game has always been about being a responsible three-zone player who is skilled enough to generate more offense than originally thought when the B’s took him late in the second round four years ago. The added strength will allow him to roll off of body checks more readily while keeping his feet, but he’s always had the vision and creativity to make plays on both sides of the ice.
With a dynamic forward like Lysell with him, the two showed chemistry and an ability to attack with speed, especially with a savvy puck-mover like Reilly getting the transition game into overdrive.
“I think I was able to throw my body around more,” Studnicka said. “When I was going through guys’ hands like on the backcheck and such, I felt I was getting my position good. It’s going to be a work in progress. It’s a little different game I’m able to play now and bring more of an edge.”
This was the first real indicator of a game that Studnicka has had at the pro level, that in time, he could one day become a second-line center here.
He’s certainly going to get every opportunity to contribute, but fans and observers should not let the wishful thinking and desire to build Rome in a day cloud the aftermath of what was a strong night for No. 23 as a work in progress.
2. Urho Vaakanainen- The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenseman who was drafted ahead of Studnicka has been a more up-and-down, polarizing prospect for the Bruins since they made him their top selection in 2017. Although he’s a superb skater, he has not shown much in the way of an offensive dimension or assertive defensive play since coming over for the 2018-19 season.
Against the Rangers, he tied the game with an absolute bomb of a shot from the point. Stepping into it and beating a very good netminder in Igor Shesterkin from the outside.
“I thought against Washington he slapped pucks around a lot for a guy that’s played games and has a good idea what to expect,” Cassidy said. “So today he had a little more composure, helped his partner out a number of times to settle things down, make a tape-to-tape pass to get us out of our end.”
Cassidy talked about the velocity of Vaakanainen’s shot being a key to the play, and how the team has encouraged all defensemen to shoot the puck hard whenever possible, in order to get shots through traffic and to the net, citing John Moore’s assist against Washington as a good example of getting the puck past the layers of opposing defenses to generate offense. In this case, the lanky Finn used the time, space, and open ice to step into his drive and power it past the Ranger goalie.
“I just thought in general, his mobility to get to pucks, make an outlet was better than in Washington,” the Bruins coach said. “It usually means he’s better engaged in a game, more assertive, better gaps and that’s why he has those opportunities.”
Because Vaakanainen is a left-shot defender comfortable on the left side. If he can grow into his own and become a contributor to the B’s this season, it would go a long way toward addressing opportunities lost with players like Jason Robertson, Robert Thomas or defenseman Henri Jokiharju, who have all established themselves in the NHL after being selected after the 18th spot.
3. Fabian Lysell- No, the 21st overall pick in July is not going to make the Boston Bruins out of camp. Let’s get that out of the way first. We all love a shiny new toy, but he’s not ready to push out players higher on the depth chart.
Now having said that, the skilled Swede did well in the rookie and early phase of main camp, getting into a pair of preseason NHL games. He was returned to the Vancouver Giants of the WHL on Wednesday and will play a prominent role for them this year, but he made a solid case to be effective in the AHL, and we probably haven't seen the last of him at the pro level in 2021-22.
Lysell had the primary assist on Studnicka’s goal, building on a strong first exhibition game against Washington where he was around the puck a lot and showed some impressive poise to keep things simple.
“He’s a good player,” Studnicka said. “To be that age and to have the confidence and composure he has out there. I know myself, my first couple of preseason games it’s nerve-wracking. It’s something you dream of your whole life, so he’s a confident player, very fast. I think we were able to keep up with each other out there, the chemistry was good.”
Lysell’s explosive speed is evident on his first shift whether in practice or in games, but he’s showing more assertiveness
“I’m as comfortable as I was expected to be,” Lysell said. “(I) just tried to compete at all time(s) and tried to keep up with the pace. As the games has went on, I think I played better for each period. So, that’s just what I’ve been trying to do to compete and find opening spaces to create chances with. It’s definitely a higher level than I’m used to but I think I’ve handled it pretty good.”
Lysell cited the combination of smaller North American ice surface, and the strength, speed and intelligence of the NHL game as his biggest adjustments so far.
Honorable mention: Defenseman Mike Reilly did what he does best- moved pucks with zip and authority. He’s not a classic shutdown defender, but holds his gaps, employs an effective stick and keeps opponents to the outside. His major bread and butter is in the transition game, and his rifle of a pass on the first Bruins goal is a sign of things to come this season.
Bruins-Rangers: 3 down
Trent Frederic- The rugged fourth-liner could have been better in this one. You love the athletic ability, compete and toughness, as he appeared to have some intriguing on-ice interactions with Rangers enforcer Ryan Reaves, with nothing coming to fruition.
On the downside, his line wasn’t able to get a great deal done consistently, and more was expected from the second-year forward and 2016 first-round pick.
“I thought Freddy didn’t move his feet nearly well enough to be effective,” said Cassidy. “A couple of chances off the rush got blocked because he didn’t separate a little more to create a little time for himself.”
The head coach felt given the experience of the Frederic, Tomas Nosek and Curtis Lazar line, they didn’t make enough plays and struggled to execute their role effectively enough as a unit.
The key to Frederic’s game is effort. He doesn’t have the talent or skill to glide and make things happen, but it was his first game. He gets the benefit of the doubt. With his toughness, he plays a role for the Bruins, but it is not unfair to point out he has more to give and likely will going forward.
Of course, this is why we have a preseason, so expect Frederic to trend upward in his next appearance.
Zach Senyshyn- The veteran AHLer has become a magnet for negativity given the circumstances surrounding his selection six years ago, but he’s listed here more out of a lack of impact and sense of urgency given his situation with the organization.
It’s easy to pile on a player who had back-to-back 40-goal OHL seasons after the Bruins went off the board for him, passing on other players who have gone on to become NHL stars since then. Unfortunately, this is the way of the world, and while Senyshyn has shown intriguing ability in flashes with his size and speed at the NHL, he’s not been able to either put it together or stay healthy enough to stick.
Now, with all of the new additions to the team, he entered the year with a one-year qualifying offer and there doesn’t appear to be much of a path for him on this NHL roster.
Given the chance to play and infuse energy or make plays against the Rangers, he was, simply put, just there. It’s not enough, and he knows it.
Joona Koppanen- A minor league journeyman who provides AHL depth, the Finnish center didn’t do much in this one to show that he has an NHL skillset.
He’s a big body who plays a reliable defensive style but was in tough to realistically compete for a spot in Boston this year or beyond.
If he ends up with the big club at any point this season, it would be a dire sign of things in terms of injuries, but Koppanen will likely provide versatility for Ryan Mougenel’s AHL squad.
Postscript: As Boston’s most expensive free-agent signing, Linus Ullmark didn’t play poorly, but was still shaking some of the rust off in terms of tracking pucks and looking poised/confident as he makes the transition to his new club.
With so many new faces and inexperienced players in the lineup, Ullmark faced some defensive breakdowns and had to make some quality saves.
Again, his first outing is an indicator that he has room for improvement and in terms of settling into a new environment and getting his timing down. Like Frederic, watch for Ullmark to take it to a higher level once he gets a chance to make a full-game start and get more of an established NHL roster in front of him.
Look ahead to Bruins-Flyers at TD Garden
The B’s are at home for the next exhibition game Thursday, Sep. 30 with a 7:30 p.m. start against the Philadelphia Flyers.
We should start to see some players sent down to Providence after defensemen Ryan Mast and Noah Dorey were returned to their junior clubs earlier this week.
The Flyers, who lost their preseason opener Tuesday in a 3-2 OT loss to the NY Islanders, are looking to improve after a non-playoff 2021 campaign.
Flyers to watch
Veteran forward and former Avon and Boston College star Cam Atkinson (Riverside, Conn.) came over to the Flyers via draft day trade for Jakub Voracek. The change of scenery should be beneficial for the undersized but fast, crafty and skilled Atkinson, who had stagnated a bit since his career-best 41 goals and 69 points in 2019.
Former BU star and 2018 first-rounder Joel Farabee is a prime candidate to have a monster breakout season. The Syracuse, N.Y. native scored 20 goals and 38 points in his first full (albeit COVID-truncated) season and has the pure talent to be a 30-plus goal, 70-point guy in 2022 if everything breaks right for him. He did not suit up in the first preseason game, but coming off of signing a six-year, $30 million extension this month, he’ll likely be in Boston.
