Boston Bruins: Anders Bjork should replace Jake DeBrusk on the second line
Is Anders Bjork the answer to the middle-six scoring woes for the Boston Bruins?
The Boston Bruins fell to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday afternoon in a shootout. Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead but could not hold on to secure two points.
The extra-time woes are nothing new for the Bruins. They lost five extra-time games in December alone; three in overtime and two in shootouts. For whatever reason, the Bruins’ forwards cannot capitalize on premium chances.
With these struggles, maybe coach Bruce Cassidy needs to lean on different players on his scoring lines. One forward who comes to mind is Anders Bjork.
Why the Bruins should try Anders Bjork with David Krejci
After he started the season in Providence, Bjork earned a recall to Boston and never looked back. So far, he played 33 games for the Bruins, and he has six goals and five assists.
Those are decent numbers for Bjork, but they don’t do his play justice. Bjork’s been better than his points indicate, but he hasn’t had enough opportunities to score.
Bjork only averages 13 minutes in ice time per game. Even against New Jersey, with some forwards out with injuries, Bjork only played 13:10.
Cassidy must give Bjork more opportunities on the ice. And when he does, he should try Bjork with David Krejci.
Krejci played mostly with Jake DeBrusk this year, but that partnership doesn’t as good as most expected. DeBrusk’s been inconsistent, and even after a recent two-goal effort, he only has 11 goals this season.
Cassidy should try Bjork with Krejci to see if that works. Alongside a talented playmaker like Krejci, maybe Bjork can find his scoring touch. He makes the most of limited ice time now anyway, so let’s see what he can do with more chances.
This lineup switch also gives DeBrusk a chance on the left-side of Charlie Coyle. DeBrusk seems like he’ll be a better fit with Coyle, as both play a north-south game.
One last thing: Bjork should get more opportunities on the power play. He could turn into an important piece on that second unit.
Anders Bjork deserves more ice-time in overtime and shootouts
Not only should Cassidy try Bjork in the top-six with Krejci. He also must give Bjork more opportunities in overtime and shootouts.
Bjork didn’t see the ice much at all in overtime against the Devils. Then, although the Bruins went six shooters deep, Bjork didn’t get a shootout chance.
The lack of ice time in overtime definitely stands out. Cassidy needed to give Bjork more overtime shifts, especially with top-six players like Krejci out of the lineup.
Bjork is the fastest forward on the Bruins, so he can use his speed and skating to take advantage of all the open ice in the three-on-three overtime. We saw this earlier in the month in overtime against the Kings, when Bjork almost scored on a breakaway.
There’s no reason that Bjork shouldn’t be in Boston’s second or third overtime group. He offers upside that few forwards on this team match.
The shootout isn’t as big a deal as the overtime, but given Boston’s shootout failures this year, why not give Bjork a shot? We know he has above-average hands and a good shot, so let’s see if he can do what the other forwards cannot: score a goal in the shootout.
Next. Cassidy sends message to Heinen. dark
The Bruins next play on Thursday against the Blue Jackets. We don’t know if Krejci will be back in the lineup, but if he is, Bjork should start on his wing.