Key storylines to watch out for across the NHL’s two Outdoor Games at Lake Tahoe
Time for Studnicka to shine?
The Boston Bruins were dealt a huge blow during their 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday when veteran center David Krejci left the game with a lower-body injury, and he’s not expected to play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, nor is grizzled defenseman Kevan Miller.
As a result, the B’s have called up defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and forward Jack Studnicka, with both making the trip to Lake Tahoe. And, it could be a real opportunity for the latter to show what he can do in a top-six role.
After all, there is no doubt that Studnicka is the prize of Boston’s farm system and he has played in eight NHL games so far, recording two points (1 G, 1 A), including one goal in six games for the Bruins this season.
Studnicka has averaged 13:31 of total ice time in the six outings he’s had this year but, should he get the chance to center the second-line, then his ice time will jump up and he could also get an opportunity on the power play.
It could be a big weekend for Studnicka to show what he’s really all about on the biggest possible stage at Lake Tahoe, and if he’s able to play a real 200-foot game and provide some secondary scoring, then that will help the Boston Bruins to make it five straight wins against the Flyers this season.
Of course, the B’s will be relying on their elite “Perfection Line,” consisting of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak to provide both offense and fireworks against Philadelphia on Sunday. The trio have combined for 47 points already this season, and that’s despite the fact that Pastrnak missed the first couple of weeks of the year due to injury.
Next. Hurricanes hit it out of the park on Friday. dark
Everything good the Boston Bruins do runs through Marchand, Bergeron and Pastrnak and the trio have the potential to wreak havoc on both the power play and at 5-on-5 at any given moment so, if they can get rolling tomorrow and players in the ilk of Jack Studnicka can contribute, then it could be a memorable day for the B’s.