The Boston Bruins will get their first glimpse at the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center on Saturday night. The Black and Gold are playing the second game of a three-game road trip after defeating the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 in Denver on Wednesday night.
The Bruins conducted a morning skate at the Delta Center before their second game of the tour, and head coach Jim Montgomery made one line alteration that was quite eye-opening. Against the Utah Hockey Club, a child seems to be moving up from the bottom six to the top six.
Justin Brazeau is moved up to the second line by Jim Montgomery.
Along with center Charlie Coyle and captain Brad Marchand, Montgomery elevated Justin Brazeau from the third line to the second line. It looks like Morgan Geekie, Trent Frederic, and Matthew Poitras will be falling down to the second line when Brazeau moves up. Brazeau was a healthy scratch in Wednesday night’s victory over the Avalanche, so this move is probably going to get him playing this season.
“They’re obviously excellent players who do a lot of unique things with the puck, so I just have to do my best to compliment them,” Brazeau said. “To make some things happen, I think I just need to get in on the forecheck, get pucks back to them, and then go to the net and try to open up some lanes.”
Brazeau’s healthy scratch against Colorado was obviously intended to give him a fresh start, given he has only contributed one assist in four games this season. It is his responsibility to go out and rediscover his game again while playing with two players who can assist him. He is aware that going up to the second line entails playing with two talented players. Watching him versus the Utah Hockey Club is worthwhile.
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