Boston Bruins Loui Eriksson Expected To Take Face-offs With Ryan Spooner Out Against The New Jersey Devils
Loui Eriksson will most likely be forced into playing the centerman position in Tuesdays game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This news comes after third line center Ryan Spooner suffered an undisclosed injury during Saturdays win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Eriksson, a winger, lined up at center during Monday’s practice at Ristuccia Arena. The team announced that Ryan Spooner will not travel with the team to New Jersey and instead of calling up a player from Providence, head coach Claude Julien is expecting so slide Eriksson temporarily as the new third-line center.
"“You saw Loui at center (during Monday’s practice),” Julien said. “Loui’s very capable of doing that. And we’ll see where we go from there.”-Claude Julian"
Loui is a highly skilled two-way forward, but he has primarily played the wing since he started in the NHL in 2006. Apart from one third-period shift Saturday night, the 30-year-old said he hasn’t seen time as a centerman in close to a half-decade.
"“I took some faceoffs last game,” said Eriksson, who centered Frank Vatrano and Jimmy Hayes during practice. “I think I had one shift as a centerman last game. I did try it in Dallas. I had a few games in Dallas playing centerman, and it’s a little bit different. But I kind of liked the work you have to put in to be a centerman, and I’ll try to do my best.”"
Centers are tasked with more responsibilities than wingers, and Loui admits that it will take a few shifts to get used to playing center.
"“Obviously the faceoffs, and you have to be the guy who comes home and plays in the defensive zone,” he said. “It’s a little bit different. It’s probably going to take a few shifts to get used to it, but I’ve played it before, and hopefully I can do something good with it.”"
Loui plans on using the two best assets his team has at center Patrice Bergeron, and David Krejci as his help in getting prepared for Tuesdays game. Definitely two great examples for Loui to follow if he hopes on having a productive night as the third line center.
"“You can definitely learn a lot from those two guys,” Eriksson said. “Everyone knows how good they are playing center-man. It’s a little bit different job — you kind of have to be good in all three zones and really be sharp when you’re there. I kind of like to play that way anyway, so hopefully I can find a good way to play center.”“I played (center) when I was younger, but that was a long time ago,” Eriksson said. “It’s a little bit different playing it in the NHL when you haven’t played it that much. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and hopefully I can help (the team) out.”"
Next: Bruins Leaders Get The Job Done Against Maple Leafs
Loui Eriksson ranks second on the Boston Bruins with 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) this season and is the only Bruins player who has yet to miss a game this season. Loui hopes he can help this team as a center as they are playing crucial games as there is only 6 games left in the regular season. There is little room for error for the Bruins as they only hold a 3 point lead over the Detroit Red Wings for the third spot in the Atlantic Division. This is crunch time for Loui and the B’s as they look to make the playoffs and make some noise in the postseason.