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Boston Bruins Reveal Drew Stafford’s Linemates

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Jan 16, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets right wing Drew Stafford (12) reacts after the end of the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets right wing Drew Stafford (12) reacts after the end of the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins Reveal Drew Stafford’s Linemates in His First Game With the Club

The Boston Bruins have announced where their newest forward will slot into the lineup Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. When Drew Stafford was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets, it was expected that he would slot in somewhere in the bottom-six. The team’s top-six has looked fairly solidified in recent games, but the bottom-six has seen some changes from a game-to-game basis.

Whether it be Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes, Tim Schaller or Riley Nash, the Bruins have made some minor tweaks to their bottom-six when needed. Many expected Stafford to replace either Hayes or Beleskey in the lineup, though it turns neither will be playing against the Devils on Saturday. According to the Bruins practice lines and the Bruins’ official Twitter account, both Beleskey and Hayes will be scratches and Stafford will skate with Ryan Spooner and Frank Vatrano.

The lines at practice were as follows:

Forwards

Brad Marchand- Patrice Bergeron – David Backes

Peter Cehlarik – David Krejci – David Pastrnak

Frank Vatrano – Ryan Spooner – Drew Stafford

Tim Schaller – Dominic Moore – Riley Nash

Defense

Zdeno Chara – Brandon Carlo

Torey Krug – Adam McQuaid

Kevan Miller – Colin Miller

Goaltender

Anton Khudobin

Veteran Addition to a Young Line

Stafford playing with Vatrano and Spooner is a good thing. It will provide two of the team’s youngest, most offensive forwards to play with a veteran forward who has made a career based on scoring. Though Stafford has struggled this season so far, playing alongside a legitimate playmaker like Spooner and a sniper like Vatrano could open up lanes for him.

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Stafford is better than a fourth-line player in the NHL. Using him on an offense-first line with Spooner and Vatrano will help get the most out of the Bruins newest addition. Should Stafford not find his stride with the Bruins, he could still be a very good depth piece on a Bruins team that has looked much improved following the firing of Claude Julien.

Anton Khudobin Getting the Start

The Bruins are turning the crease over to Anton Khudobin on Saturday to rest Tuukka Rask. After going winless in his first 8 appearances this season, Khudobin has won each of his last two. In his last two games – coming against the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings, Khudobin has compiled a 2.00 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. He stood on his head in his last start against the Kings, allowing one goal on 28 shots – god for a .964 save percentage, to help the Bruins close out their California road trip with a victory.

Next: Boston Bruins Acquire Drew Stafford

For the Bruins, every point counts at this stage of the season. Whether it’s Rask in net or Khudobin, the team needs to show up. Similarly, whether Stafford, Beleskey, Hayes or anybody else slots into the lineup, the team needs to click. It will be a full-on sprint to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Bruins can’t afford to finish last.

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