Boston Bruins: Jake DeBrusk finds his game at the right time

Jake DeBrusk was a big piece to the offense for the Boston Bruins last year. He scored 27 goals in only his second year, so expectations were high in advance of year three.

Although most expected DeBrusk to flirt with the 30-goal mark, he started the season ice cold. He didn’t even record a point until his fifth game. Then, it took DeBrusk three more games to score his first goal.

A big reason for DeBrusk’s slow start was the absence of David Krejci. Without Krejci down the middle, DeBrusk and his linemates struggled to generate chances.

Then, DeBrusk picked up an injury of his own. He missed five games for the Bruins before he returned against New Jersey on November 19. That game marks a turning point for DeBrusk’s season in more ways than one.

First, the game against New Jersey obviously represented DeBrusk’s return from injury. More importantly than that, it represented a significant shift in DeBrusk’s play.

He didn’t have a point against the Devils, but DeBrusk flew up and down the ice all night. He was physically engaged, and he looked like the guy we all saw last year. Based on DeBrusk’s play, it seemed like goals would come. That’s certainly been the case.

Since his return from injury, DeBrusk has two goals and three assists in six games. All these points, in fact, came in the past four games. These are modest numbers, but this pace is definitely better than it was before the injury.

DeBrusk was especially good in the last game against the Rangers. He assisted on two of Boston’s three goals. His first assist came off an excellent individual effort when he circled around the zone and fired an easily-tippable shot on goal.

DeBrusk really turned his season around these past two games. Surprisingly, he’s done so without Krejci as his center.

Krejci jumped up to the top line in the absence of Patrice Bergeron. That left DeBrusk with some new centers, including Charlie Coyle most recently.

DeBrusk and Coyle form a strong duo. Coyle’s bigger and more physical than Krejci, and he plays a north-south game like DeBrusk. Coyle also forces DeBrusk to play with more pace, something that definitely works out.

With new linemates, DeBrusk improved his play for the Bruins at the right time. Bergeron’s out of the lineup, so Boston needs secondary scoring now more than ever. DeBrusk, Coyle, and company provide that.

DeBrusk remains an important part of Boston’s forward group now and in the future. He’s a restricted free agent after this season, so DeBrusk needs to show Boston why he’s worth a long-term commitment. If he continues to play like he has since the injury, the Bruins will have no choice but to extend him.