Oct 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Seth Griffith (53) celebrates scoring a goal on Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Seth Griffith wasn’t on the roster for opening night against the Philadelphia Flyers. In fact, he wasn’t considered until the Bruins held their matinee game against the Colorado Avalanche and then only appeared in three games before being scratched and sent down to Providence with Ryan Spooner. In his first three-game stint, the Bruins signed Simon Gagne to a one-year contract and placed him in Griffith’s place in the third against Detroit and Montreal the following game. He saw a few chances, but they weren’t enough to hold a position. It was after his performance in Providence Sunday night that he was then recalled Monday to re-join the Bruins squad and he hasn’t made them think twice about it.
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After skating the first two periods alongside the Krejci line and spending some ample time on the B’s top power play unit, Griffith was kept with Krejci and Lucic to play some crucial minutes in the one-goal game against San Jose. The added confidence gave the youngster enough to tie the game at three and give him his first career NHL goal.
“If those guys are going to get better, sometimes you’ve got to put them in those positions when you feel they’re doing well enough to warrant that.” Claude Julien stated after the Sharks game.
There is no question the Bruins have done a lot of experimenting among the Bruins lines this season, but it seems as though they no longer have to work on the top line pairing of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Seth Griffith. In recent games the top line has been producing more and more consistently and after watching last night’s game against the Wild, it’s safe to assume they have found some much needed chemistry.
“It is good to see him get two goals, especially goals like that that he drives the net so that’s what you want from your teammate, to drive the net,” Krejci said. “Looch did the same thing, so if some guy drives the net that means it opens up some room for our players, so I thought he played well. Hopefully he can build on this and play the same way the next game.”
“We’re starting to get a little chemistry going,” Griffith said. “ It’s good to see but it’s not too hard playing with two great players like that.”
The clicking of the line couldn’t come at a better time for the Bruins who are searching for ways to manage without their captain in the line up. Through the first two periods of last night’s game, the Bruins top line carried the team, earning them a 3-1 advantage heading into the third. Two of those goals coming from Seth Griffith.
Coach Julien had nothing but praise for the 21-year-old after the game, despite the third period collapse;
“That is probably the brightest thing of the night for us, was the fact that Seth really played a strong game. That line last year scored a lot of goals from guys driving the net and he did a great job of driving the net every time. He got rewarded for it and he also made a nice play there on Looch’s goal. If there is somebody that should be walking out of here with his head up high,it’s him.”
Prior to the start of the season, the Bruins had been rumored to be shopping around for a right-wing player in hopes of finding a Jarome Iginla replacement. However, Julien held faith in the young star and for good reason. It was his drive to the net that provided Boston with their go-ahead goal in the second period and then his efforts on Lucic’s goal as well that helped give the Bruins momentum.
“It is good to see him get two goals, especially goals like that that he drives the net so that’s what you want from your teammate, to drive the net,” Krejci said. “Looch did the same thing, so if some guy drives the net that means it opens up some room for our players, so I thought he played well. Hopefully he can build on this and play the same way the next game.”
There is no question Griffith is the best option they have on the roster to fill the void that Iginla left along the top line. For now, he’s doing his part and stepping up to the plate, giving him the opportunity of a life time.