Providence Bruin Matt Lindblad Suits Up In Boston.

Sep 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Matt Lindblad and Washington Capitals center

(84) gets set for a face-off during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins have often turned to their rookie players and members of the AHL’s Providence team during the post season to give them extra personnel. As the Black and Gold prepare for another deep run in the post season, they’re taking another look at some of the Providence players to see how they’d fit in the line up. This time around, it was Matt Lindblad’s turn to wear the Big B at the TD Garden.

Overall, Lindblad had an acceptable if not overwhelming performance. He filled in for Shawn Thornton (who was a healthy scratch) on the Merlot Line this afternoon, as the Boston Bruins took on the Carolina Hurricanes. He finished with twelve shifts throughout the game and a total of 8:25 of ice time. He didn’t cause any trouble for Boston, and did his job on the fourth line. After the game (where the Bruins tallied their season best eighth straight win in a row in a 5-1 blow out of the Hurricanes), he talked with the media about his first shift and what it means to wear the Spoked B.

“I felt pretty good. The first shift, I mean, everyone talks about the first shift being the toughest,” commented Lindblad. “I thought after that first shift I knew I had my legs and I was moving pretty good out there. Even just in warm ups, you come out and the crowd is just pumping. It was just a great atmosphere unlike anything else. You have a lot of your friends and family texting you, wishing you good luck and you just want to play your best. I’m pretty happy with how I played.”

Claude Julien found his play satisfactory as well. “I liked his game.” said Julien. “He skates well, quick skater, quick thinker, he made some real good heads up plays. So, like I said all along, I like his hockey sense.”

While Lindblad was happy with his performance, he knows he’ll need to stay ready if (the way we go at it in the post season, it’s really a question of when) the Bruins will need him in the playoffs. “I just feel like if I do get that call up whether it’s later in the year or next year or whenever.” near the end of his press time. “If they need me, I’ll be ready and I will be just as confident and comfortable.”