The Boston Bruins overcame a 4-1 third-period deficit and came away with a 5-4 overtime win in their second preseason game on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Some of the same glaring defensive mistakes from their first preseason game surfaced again as they got off to a slow start, but the key things to take away were more about what happened with the bubble players looking to make a push to join Boston’s roster to start the regular season.
Here are three takeaways:
Blumel continues to make a case for himself to start in Boston
New Bruins forward Matej Blumel was once again one of the hardest-working players on the ice Tuesday in the Bruins’ overtime win against the Rangers, adding to his strong performance against the Capitals in the team’s first preseason game on Sunday.
Blumel, who signed with Boston this offseason after leading the AHL in goal scoring as part of the Dallas Stars organization, has been making the case that he’s ready for a more sizable role in the NHL. Blumel tallied the Bruins’ first goal and fired off a team-leading five shots on goal in the win against the Rangers, and his offensive skillset has been noticed by some important figures around him.
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm had a pre-existing respect for Blumel’s skillset from the times he had to gameplan against him in the AHL.
"He's one of those guys where we had to make sure we're going to cover this guy because he's such a good shooter and scorer,” Sturm said. “Especially on the power play, where Leon Draisaitl hangs out, he has that spot and he was so dangerous."
David Pastrnak also gave his thoughts on Blumel’s skillset and achievements, some of which he witnessed in person alongside Blumel on the Czech national team.
"He's very smart, he works hard, he's got a little bit of everything, and it's amazing to watch him," Pastrnak said, adding that he played with him on the Czech national team’s first line when they won a bronze medal at the IIHF World Championship in 2022.
As the Bruins look to add some more ‘shot-ready’ players to the mix, Blumel has stood out as a player who is always available, in the right position, and with an intention to shoot.
And, outside of the positive signs from his good performances in both of the Bruins’ first two preseason games, he seems to be getting time in practice situations that suggest Sturm and the Bruins coaching staff envision him adding to Boston’s offense. For example, Blumel spent the first week of training camp alongside center fellow Czech center Pavel Zacha, who is projected to be a top-six forward for Boston this year, and spent time in the Bruins’ dedicated special teams practice alongside Viktor Arvidsson, Casey Mittelstadt, Hampus Lindholm and Mason Lohrei as a potential second power-play unit for Sturm.
With all of this coming together for Blumel, it seems important to spotlight him as a player to focus on that has a real chance to make the Boston roster.
Could Eyssimont and the fourth line provide more depth scoring this year?
Maybe the biggest standout player in the Bruins’ preseason win over the Rangers was Mikey Eyssimont, both for his physicality and his offense. Eyssimont was another offseason acquisition for the Bruins whose role is yet to be officially established.
In his first game action as a Bruin on Tuesday night, Eyssimont started the game laying an eye-opening check on Brett Berard and finished with a shorthanded goal and an even-strength goal in the third period. What was promising about his performance was that he displayed his signature pain-to-play-against style and showed his skill with some real goal-scorer’s goals.
The Bruins lacked depth scoring from their fourth line last year. So, can fourth-line production be a facet of the Bruins game that sees improvement this season?
Are Lysell and Poitras doing enough?
Both Fabian Lysell and Matt Poitras were in the lineup for the Bruins’ first two preseason games, and eyes were on them to impress coaches and management to seal a spot on Boston’s opening night roster.
Though Lysell and Poitras didn’t perform poorly, it will probably take a bigger impact on the scoresheet for them to make Boston’s roster out of camp. Here are their stats through their two preseason games:
Matt Poitras: 0g, 0a, 0p, 2 shots, -5
Fabian Lysell: 0g, 0a, 0p, 3 shots, +1
If you want to see Poitras and Lysell make Boston’s lineup, you may have to wait to see them get their call-up later in the season if they don’t add more tangible offense in the preseason.