Ryan Donato, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Danton Heinen have produced in a pair of home games. On Friday, they’re more concerned about getting exploited on the road by the star-studded Penguins.
BOSTON -- Let’s see how it plays in Pittsburgh.
That’s where the Bruins are on Friday night (7:05, NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5), trying to win their fourth straight game with a lineup coach Bruce Cassidy created after a three-game losing streak from Dec. 1-6. A top line of center David Krejci between wingers Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak is its centerpiece, and a young line capable of support scoring will probably face its stiffest test to date at PPG Paints Arena, where they won’t enjoy any of the comforts of home. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has the last-change option, and he’s expected to match a line centered by either of his two superstar centers, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, against a line populated by two rookies and a second-year player.
“Look up and down their lineup,and they have a lot of superstars” said rookie winger Ryan Donato, who was still regrouping at AHL Providence when the B’s downed the Pens in overtime, 2-1, on Nov. 23 at TD Garden. “We’ve got to come with the mentality of being really hungry, and prepared to play some defense, but also not to make any mistakes.”
Donato, fellow rookie center Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and second-year winger Danton Heinen have thrived in two home games over their relatively brief existence, but weren’t as visible in the road game in between.
Actually, that wouldn’t be so bad on Friday night.
“You can’t run from matchups,” Cassidy said. “There’s certain ones you want to avoid, but eventually you’ve got to prove you can play -- at least hold your own.
“(Friday) night might be one of those nights where (Donato-Forsbacka Karlsson-Heinen) have just got to keep their head above water, do their job, and maybe the next night they’ll have a more advantageous matchup. But that’s the way it is for them.”
The linemates have brought offense out of each other at home, where Cassidy could control matchups. Heinen, who hadn’t scored a point in his previous 10 games, had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 6-3 victory over the Maple Leafs, to which Donato and Forsbacka Karlsson added a goal apiece. Heinen’s goal off Forsbacka Karlsson’s set-up finally got the B’s on the board 8:40 into the second period on Tuesday, igniting a four-goal rally that sent the Bruins to a 4-3 decision over the Coyotes.
“It’s nice to see a couple go in, and get a couple more chances,” said Heinen, who scored 16 goals and 47 points over 77 games as a rookie last season, and is now at 4-4--8 over 29 games this year.
Cassidy stuck with Heinen through his slow start primarily because he’s a strong defensive player, and that 200-foot reputation factored into his decision to move Heinen to right wing with Donato (30 NHL games) and Forsbacka Karlsson (14).
“I like Danton’s accountability,” the coach said. “I like that he returns to the defensive zone and tends to sort out quickly. … He’s going to play the right way in terms of where to go, and reading the ice.”
Cassidy also wondered if the primary offensive skills of Donato (shooting) and Forsbacka Karlsson (passing) might spark Heinen.
“It’s a matter of where’s Danton’s best chemistry, to get his offensive numbers up,” Cassidy said. “So far he’s done a good job with that line, so maybe this is the line.”
Heinen isn’t entering Friday’s game thinking about extending a scoring burst, though.
“Whenever you’re playing a high-powered offensive team like this, you’ve always got to be ready defensively, and take pride in that,” he said. “We have to do that as a group.”
AROUND THE BOARDS: Cassidy confirmed that winger Jake DeBrusk, who will miss his fourth straight game, is in the NHL concussion protocol: “(DeBrusk) came in feeling better … less symptoms, so going in the right direction, but still not on the ice.” … Center Sean Kuraly missed Thursday’s practice to undergo a minor procedure to address damage done to his nose in Sunday’s fight with the Senators’ Ben Harpur. Cassidy didn’t rule out Kuraly playing against the Pens … Defenseman Zdeno Chara (knee) and center Patrice Bergeron (rib/sternoclavicular) both skated before practice; Cassidy said he “suspects we’ll probably see them in practice next week.” … Defenseman Kevan Miller (larynx) practiced in a non-contact jersey.