Boston Bruins: Brett Connolly Is A Healthy Scratch In Arizona
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Bruins have decided to leave Brett Connolly in the press box for their tilt with the Arizona Coyotes, making room for Brad Marchand. After missing two games for the Bruins with a concussion, Brad Marchand is ready to return to the lineup and Brett Connolly appears to be the odd-man out. After posting zero goals and one assist on six shots through the first four games of the season, Connolly is aware that he has to figure things out, and that business is business. “It’s part of the business” Connolly said. “Still looking to fit in somewhere on a line and just got to keep working and things will work out.” Connolly has played on the third line alongside Ryan Spooner and Jimmy Hayes, as well as the second line alongside Patrice Bergeron and Loui Eriksson.
Four games is too small of a sample size to judge Brett Connolly, just as his five from last season were. The scratch is likely a result of the Bruins getting a very solid outing across the board from their players last game against the Colorado Avalanche, notably the third line, leaving Brett Connolly as simply the replaceable player. One game in the press box could motivate Connolly to show Claude Julien that he has what it takes to be a top player for the Bruins moving forward, and that he shouldn’t ever even be in the discussion to be a healthy scratch. Ultimately, that goal seems reasonable and achievable, but it will all depend on Connolly taking this to heart and coming out strong the next opportunity he gets.
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Brad Marchand seems ready to go tonight, however, and he’s as eager as ever “I can’t wait to get back and play,” Marchand said to reporters on Saturday “It’s always tough when you have to watch and especially when you’re uncertain about when you’ll get back. So, happy the day’s finally here, and looking forward to playing (Saturday night).”
The Boston Bruins projected lineup for tonight’s game is as follows:
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — Loui Eriksson
Matt Beleskey — David Krejci — David Pastrnak
Chris Kelly — Ryan Spooner — Jimmy Hayes
Zac Rinaldo — Joonas Kemppainen — Tyler Randell
Zdeno Chara — Kevan Miller
Torey Krug — Adam McQuaid
Tommy Cross — Colin Miller
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports