With nothing left to gain in the standings and the Bruins and Capitals set to square off in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night, Bruce Cassidy elected to sit out 16 regular skaters during the team's regular-season finale Tuesday night in Washington.
While it makes all the sense in the world to allow his players to rest and heal up for the postseason, Cassidy was able to do so and dress so many replacement players due to management functioning under the salary cap all season long — whereas if they hadn’t, Boston wouldn’t have been able to rest so many players in the final game of the season.
Curtis Lazar scored his second goal as a Bruin — the first with an opposing goalie in the net — and Jeremy Swayman was impressive once again, stopping 30 of 32 shots faced. After the game, Cassidy officially named Swayman the Bruins' backup goalie behind Tuukka Rask to start the playoffs.
Those who were in the lineup deserve a ton of credit for giving their full efforts. but they ultimately fell to the Capitals 2-1 on a last-second goal from Michael Raffl.
Here are three key takeaways from the game.
1. Jake DeBrusk plays with jump
As one of the only few regular players in the lineup, Jake DeBrusk stepped up and played a more than solid game despite not scoring a goal of his own. He led all Bruins forwards in ice time and played with speed and confidence, tallying an assist and three shots on goal.
For the first time in a while, DeBrusk seemed dangerous for the entire game with the puck on his stick, challenging defenders with his speed and looking to get the puck on goal off the rush. Sure, maybe he felt as though he had to step up with literally no other real offensive threats in the lineup, but nonetheless, he looked a lot more like the DeBrusk of old, and if he can start the postseason with the swagger he displayed Tuesday night then he could be an X-factor in the playoffs.
2. Oskar Steen most effective call-up
One of the few lessons learned in an otherwise pointless game was the realization of how Oskar Steen has the potential to be an effective Bruins forward in the future. Is he going to be a top-six scorer? Unlikely. But could he be a middle-six forward with offensive upside and snarl? Likely.
Steen was noticeable all game long and was rewarded for his impactful play by the coaching staff as he was second among Bruins forwards in ice time behind DeBrusk. Steen displayed his quick skating, agitation abilities and a goal-scorer's release all while playing against a bigger and more physical Washington team.
Steen’s noticeable night started with stealing the puck from Zdeno Chara on the forecheck after finishing the big man with a hard check into the boards. The hitting didn’t end there for Steen as he finished the game being credited with six body checks. For reference, Steen is listed at 5-foot-9, 188 pounds — which goes to show how competitive he is that he led all skaters on both teams in hits.
Furthermore, Steen almost ended the game late in regulation when he entered the offensive zone with poise and confidence before ringing a dragging snap shot off the crossbar that would have given Boston a 2-1 lead.
All in all, Steen was really the only forward called up from Providence who took advantage of being inserted into the lineup. He could have a bright future in Boston.
3. Zach Senyshyn looking more and more like a bust
On the other side of the spectrum from Oskar Steen is 2015 first-round selection Zach Senyshyn. Now is it Senyshyn’s fault that Don Sweeney reached by about three rounds when drafting Senyshyn 15th overall? No. But is it Senyshyn’s fault that six years after being drafted, he hasn’t shown enough improvement to make the NHL roster once out of camp? Yes. Is it Senyshyn’s fault that when he does get chances to be called up, he doesn’t show much of a difference between himself and a typical NHL fourth-liner? Yes.
Senyshyn hasn’t given management, coaches, peers or fans any reason for real optimism that he will one day be an impact player in Boston. He’s no longer a fresh-faced 18-year old — he’s 24 and at the age where many NHL players are entering their prime.
Tuesday night in Washington, Senyshyn was once again just another player on the ice. He didn’t play terribly, but he didn’t stand out. He ranked 10th of 12 forwards in ice time and that’s only because Trent Frederic was in the penalty box for 10 minutes serving a misconduct penalty. In his time out on the ice, Senyshyn had zero points, zero hits and was credited with one shot on goal. One would think that being inserted into the lineup for the first time in a while and still not an NHL regular, Senyshyn would at least throw one hit on an opponent. The clock is ticking on Senyshyn and sooner than later, time will run out.
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