Jake DeBrusk is usually pretty talkative during press conferences, but he gave several unusually terse responses Thursday when asked about his struggles and his game before finally opening up a bit.
Here is a transcript of some of the early exchanges between DeBrusk and reporters via Zoom Thursday (you can watch the full press conference in the video at the top of this post):
Where do you feel your game is right now? I know you’re on a different line tonight, but did you feel like you were gaining chemistry with Curtis Lazar? Where do you see that going?
“Like you said, I’m on a different line tonight. So obviously focused on the game.”
How do you feel your game is right now?
“I feel like it’s coming along. Wasn’t necessarily the best game [Tuesday].”
How much are you looking forward to these final regular-season games and getting going for the playoffs?
“Yeah, I’m pumped for the playoffs for sure.”
DeBrusk gave a little bit longer of an answer when asked about the Capitals-Rangers situation this week and whether he thinks there’s still a place for a game like last night, which featured a line brawl off the opening faceoff and six fights in the first five minutes (he does, by the way).
He also opened up when asked about former teammate and linemate David Backes, who received an emotional farewell in St. Louis Wednesday night and is likely to retire after the season.
Then DeBrusk finally opened up a little more about his own game when the conversation circled back to it with a question about whether he’s still having fun.
“I’ve been struggling. It’s not fun when you’re struggling,” DeBrusk said. “You try to find little positives and things like that and move on from there. It’s not the end of the world. Obviously I’d like to do a lot more with what I can do, but at the same time, it obviously hasn’t been meant for me. I understand that my time will come. Like I said earlier, just trying to stay positive. But yeah, the game’s not fun when you’re struggling, man.”
DeBrusk has just four goals and seven assists in 37 games this season. He hasn’t scored a goal in his last 12 games and was recently made a healthy scratch for the second time this season before being put on the fourth line in his return. He will move up to the third line Thursday night in place of an injured Charlie Coyle, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
DeBrusk said he has leaned on his father and his teammates to help him battle through the many low points of this season.
“I lean on my dad a lot,” he said. “I don’t really lean on too many people outside the game. It’s one of those things where you’re in isolation anyways. There’s lots of people here in the organization. My teammates obviously have been the ones kind of keeping me going here, so it’s one of those things where you want to do it for them in the room.
“You want to obviously be there for them. They’ve been there for me. I’ve been with this group for four years now and we’ve been through a lot. They understand that there’s ups and downs and everyone’s different, there’s different types of things that go on. It’s just a matter of being ready for your opportunity and doing what you can, because I know I can help this team.”
Looking ahead to the postseason, DeBrusk said he believes the Bruins are in good shape thanks in part to what he considers the “deepest” forward group they’ve had since he came into the league.
“Our forward group’s the deepest the forward group I’ve ever been a part of,” DeBrusk said. “I look at that as an exciting opportunity, and it’s one of those things that, we don’t lack firepower. That’s one thing that I believe will help us, and obviously with just the leadership and the core of this group, we always have a chance. We’re in the dance now. It’s just a matter of getting ready for it.”