Boston Bruins: Karson Kuhlman a Reminder of What the Team Needs

With a prominent victory over the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins, the Boston Bruins managed to slowly recover their style and level of play. It all originated with Karson Kuhlman.

An unfortunate break almost three months ago and a fracture suffered on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs limited his season. A long-time off the ice was certainly not an easy outing for young Karson Kuhlman, who was desperate to showcase his best abilities this season.

On Thursday against the Penguins, the 24-year-old undrafted forward received his opportunity to skate on the NHL ice again. Long has he waited. With him in the lineup, the Bruins were reminded of what they needed the most.

After those last two miserable outings for the Bruins, it was not ideal, to say the least, to let Sidney Crosby snap one in only a few seconds into the contest. The Bruins seemed to have a tough time reacting, they couldn’t do anything with a couple of man advantages.

However, then Karson Kuhlman got on the ice. A quick and simple give-and-go with Sean Kuraly, Kuhlman went to disturb Jack Johnson, as the puck off Kuraly’s shot ricocheted from Johnson´s leg, and it was a tied game. Solely, plain easy, and simple.

On his next shift, Kuhlman received the puck on the blue line from Danton Heinen, marked Par Lindholm in front of Tristan Jarry uncovered as the Swedish center redirected one home for his third goal of the campaign. Once again, simple hockey play.

That all came from the Bruins’ fourth line, as they spent only 4:33 of the ice-time together at five-on-five. Nevertheless, they did their job exquisitely well. Tie the game up and then practically win it. And that was their duty. For the Bruins starving for the secondary scoring, Kuhlman´s comeback was much-welcomed.

He reminded the Bruins of what they needed the most. To play simply on the ice and try to find quick and easy outlet passes. If the Bruins don’t lose their focus, they are incredibly tough to bear down in their defensive zone.

For Kuhlman, pointless in his first eight games of the season prior to his injury, to record two assists on his first two shifts back is a promise of future importance. The kid has worked hard to earn his occasion and fought even firmer to remain on the NHL level.