Boston Bruins: What’s the best second line in Krejci’s absence?

Bjork-Coyle-Heinen

Another option for Cassidy is to have Coyle center Anders Bjork and Danton Heinen. This was a line at Boston’s practice on Friday.

Coyle and Heinen already have a lot of playing time together this season. When Krejci was in the lineup, Coyle and Heinen teamed up on the third line.

The third line with Coyle and Heinen looked strong at times this season. Both players do well to maintain puck possession, albeit in different ways. Coyle uses his size to shield off defenders, while Heinen utilizes a quick stick to dominate along the boards.

Heinen usually lined up on the left wing with Coyle, but he is versatile enough to play on the right. This gives Bjork the chance to slide in on the left, a side where he is more comfortable.

Bjork can give Coyle and Heinen a different element on the wing. Most of the time Coyle and Heinen played with either Ritchie or David Backes. Both players, however, appeared to slow down the line as a whole.

Bjork certainly won’t slow Coyle and Heinen down, as he’s one of the fastest players in the lineup. He also has more offensive upside than Ritchie and Backes.

A Bjork-Coyle-Heinen line can look dynamic at time, and it might represents Boston’s best chance for offense without Krejci. Let’s hope they get a chance if DeBrusk and Ritchie struggle.