Apr 13, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie
Martin Brodeur(30) plays the puck away from Boston Bruins left wing
Justin Florek(57) during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
So, it looks like Daniel Paille will be out for at least game one of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. He’ll still be recovering from that concussion he sustained during the Bruins last regular season home game against the Buffalo Sabres. To compensate for the loss of Paille, the Bruins have recalled Providence forward Justin Florek back to Boston to fill in on the fourth line. He’ll be on the “Maroon Line” for the Bruins. (Per Shawn Thornton, any time one of them isn’t on the line, the line becomes Maroon for the length of a Merlot Man’s absence.) It will be his first NHL postseason game (which will put him on par with several members of the Detroit Red Wings).
So far this season, Florek has skated in four games for Boston. He made his NHL debut on January 4th of this year against the Winnipeg Jets. It didn’t take him long to earn his first NHL point with Boston, getting an assist just three days later playing against the Anaheim Ducks during the Bruins California road trip. He earned his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings just two days later. In all, he’s got four games with the Bruins. Florek has put up five shots on goal with a +1.
While this will be his first NHL playoff game, the young winger does have some experience with post season work in Providence. Last season, he played in eleven games for the P-Bruins putting up three points (one goal) with twenty four minutes in penalties for the baby Black and Gold.During this year’s regular season, he has played sixty nine games for Providence, and has put up thirty eight points (nineteen goals). with a plus-17 rating (second on the team). Four of those nineteen goals were earned on the power play, and one was a short handed goal. He’ll bring some solid special teams experience to the game as well. He’s probably the safest and strongest choice the Boston Bruins could make to fill in at that position, and I hope he gets a biscuit in the crease during his playoff tenure in Boston.