Jack Studnicka made his NHL debut for the Boston Bruins last Tuesday in Montreal. He then played his second game on Friday against the Rangers. These were tough spots for a young player, but Studnicka looked poised and comfortable.
In those two games, Studnicka averaged 12:08 in time on ice. He picked up an assist for his first NHL point, and he finished as a +2.
The stat line is pretty impressive, but that’s only part of the story with Studnicka. What really stands out is that through his first two games, Studnicka doesn’t look like a rookie.
Studnicka looks remarkably comfortable on the ice. He’s not afraid to go in the corners to win puck battles, and he also is rarely caught out of position.
Look at Boston’s first goal against the Rangers. Studnicka didn’t get a point, but he pretty much made the whole play happen.
That's five points in three games for @kurals9.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/mqSUXgPjXO
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 29, 2019
Studnicka won the puck in the corner and freed it up for linemate Jake DeBrusk. DeBrusk skated around the net, made his way to the blue line, and then fired a wrister on net. Studnicka went right to the front of the net to screen the goalie, and this gave Sean Kuraly a chance to tip it in.
This was impressive work by Studnicka, and although it doesn’t show up on the scoresheet, it helped the Bruins win the game.
These types of plays really set young players apart from each other. Studnicka went right to the dirty areas to get things done; not all young players will do this.
One other thing that’s apparent with Studnicka is his reach. Although the Bruins list him as 6’1″, he looks taller out there. Maybe he has a longer stick or something. Either way, Studnicka has the reach to block passing lanes and win pucks with his stick.
This can really come into play for centers, as an active stick can help win possession and break up opposing plays. If Studnicka can add this skill to his repertoire, he may evolve into a strong two-way center.
We only watched him play two games, but Studnicka looks comfortable in Boston. He’s still not totally ready for the NHL, but based on what we see, he’s not far off.
Studnicka looks like he can be a staple in the Bruins lineup in the future. If what we saw this week is any indication, this future can come sooner than many of us expected.