BOSTON — The names may have to change, but never the objective.
The Bruins’ fourth line, which in some situations plays as much or even a bit more than their third or second line, is currently altered by the absence of rookie center Sean Kuraly, but that hasn’t altered what the line does best.
"They just go, go, go," defenseman Torey Krug said of the line, which on Saturday consisted of Tim Schaller at left wing, Johnston native Noel Acciari in [...]
BOSTON — The names may have to change, but never the objective.
The Bruins’ fourth line, which in some situations plays as much or even a bit more than their third or second line, is currently altered by the absence of rookie center Sean Kuraly, but that hasn’t altered what the line does best.
“They just go, go, go,” defenseman Torey Krug said of the line, which on Saturday consisted of Tim Schaller at left wing, Johnston native Noel Acciari in Kuraly’s usual spot at center, and trade deadline acquisition Tommy Wingels at right wing, where Acciari usually plays. “They just want to make life miserable for the other team.”
The trio makes up the Bruins’ only line on which every player weighs at least 200 pounds. The line thrives on a dump-and-thump style which, when executed properly, results in offensive zone time that wears opponents out. There’s a decent scoring component, though: Schaller has scored a career-high 12 goals, Acciari has eight despite missing 22 games with injuries, and Kuraly has scored six in his first NHL season.
The line’s most significant contribution in Thursday’s 4-2 victory was a goal from Schaller against the Lightning’s top trio of J.T. Miller, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. In Saturday’s 5-1 decision over the Panthers, it was six shots and six hits, highlighted by the first fight of Acciari’s career.
“He trucked about five guys,” coach Bruce Cassidy said of Acciari, who was challenged by (and then battered) MacKenzie Weegar after teammate Maxim Mamin was felled by Acciari’s open ice hit. “Sooner or later, [a fight] was going to happen.”
Wingels, who has played all three forward positions on different lines since the B’s acquired him from the Blackhawks, has enjoyed the fourth-line assignment.
“I think my physicality, my aggressiveness — wanting to forecheck and kind of disrupt — meshes with Noel and Tim,” said Wingels. “Those are guys who want to play similar styles, who will make plays when they’re there, but enjoy just as much putting the puck in deep and being physical. It’s a good job.”
Chara, McAvoy to make trip
Cassidy said defensemen Zdeno Chara (upper body) and Charlie McAvoy (sprained MCL), who have missed the last nine and 14 games, respectively, would travel with the team for a three-game trip that begins on Sunday afternoon at Philadelphia. Either or both could return to the lineup against the Flyers.
Neither Kuraly, who hasn’t played since Tuesday night at Winnipeg, nor Rick Nash, who has now lost seven games to an upper body injury, were scheduled to travel on Saturday night.
“Unless they’re on the ice, skating, generally guys will stay here, where they’re better able to get treatment,” Cassidy said. “They’ll join us if they can skate.”
Cassidy shed little light on the status of Nash, a late scratch after participating in the morning skate before a March 19 game against Columbus. He hasn’t been on the ice since.
“He’s been working,” Cassidy said. “He’s progressing, I guess, at his pace.
“If I had anything more to give you, I’d like to give it to you. I know it’s interesting, for lack of a better term.”
Cassidy wouldn’t say if Nash is following the NHL’s concussion protocol.
“I’m just saying he’s working out now, not able to skate,” the coach said.
Around the boards
Brandon Carlo, who left Saturday’s game on a stretcher after sustaining a left leg or ankle injury, was on crutches and in a knee-to-toe boot after the game. … McAvoy was the recipient of NESN’s 7th Player Award, presented annually to the player who has most exceeded fans’ expectations. … David Pastrnak’s 45th assist of the season was the 200th point (91 goals, 109 assists) of his 249-game NHL career. … Frank Vatrano, traded by the B’s to the Panthers for a third-round 2018 draft pick, didn’t play on Saturday because of an upper body injury sustained on Thursday at Ottawa. … Brian Gionta was a healthy scratch for the first time since making his debut with the B’s on March 1. He hasn’t scored a point in his last 10 games.