Justin Brazeau knows his place with the Bruins: he’s in the net

Even with only 26 NHL rep games under his belt, Brazeau knows what type of player he is. And most importantly, you know what you need to do to thrive.

For the 6-foot-5 forward, it’s all about positioning himself around the front of the net.

“Just knowing who you are, what you do, what you do well on the ice… I never try to be someone I’m not,” Brazeau said Monday. “I always come out knowing exactly what I have to do to help the team.”

Brazeau’s skills may not be flashy, but the Ontario product has the tools to do a lot of damage on Grade A ice. While his 220-pound frame makes him a nuisance in the crease, his stickhandling in areas Narrow dimensions and long reach make it a human Dyson for sliding discs into high-danger areas.

On a currently ranked team 29th in high-danger five-on-five scoring chances per 60 minutes (8.86), Brazeau has been a welcome sight on the network front.

He is tied for second on the team in high-danger individual scoring opportunities in five-on-five games with six, four of them coming in his last two games against the Stars and maple leaves.

He is the response type of coach. Jim Montgomery was confident after scratching Brazeau (1 point in five games) on Oct. 22 against the Predators.

“I think his stick has been really good offensively, but even more so defensively, causing turnovers in the D zone, causing turnovers up front,” Montgomery said. “And then get to the areas where you’re successful.”

After watching that 4-0 loss to Nashville from high up on the ice, Brazeau responded with goals against the Stars and Maple Leafs on Thursday and Saturday.

Both were a direct result of Brazeau shooting the puck from the goal line or waiting near the low slot for a rebound.

“In front of the net, he’s very big and skilled in the corners,” Marchand said Saturday. “When he gets there, he’s dangerous and he’s going to produce. So it’s great in that sense that I have that confidence now.

“When you get a partner, that’s what happens, your confidence grows and it builds.”

Given the Bruins’ dearth of quality scoring opportunities, Montgomery hopes a top-six promotion for Brazeau will give the forward corps a boost.

Brazeau skated with the second line alongside Marchand and charlie coyle during Monday’s practice, looking to elevate a duo that has generated zero goals and just 1 point so far this season in five-on-five games.

Brazeau isn’t worried about changing his approach if he skates with Coyle and Marchand on Tuesday against the Flyers. Chances are, your linemates will know where to find you.

“I don’t think anything should change,” Brazeau said. “I just have to do what I do best, make space for those guys, try to be tough on offense to help them get pucks back, be in that net, so when they make their plays and stuff like that, I’m there for the second chance”.

costume party

The Bruins participated in their annual Halloween hospital visits at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital on Monday.

After opting for a topical topic last fall dressing as various “Barbie” and “Ken” dolls, The Bruins went for a more retro look with costumes from the Pixar movie “Monsters Inc.”

Marchand was appropriately cast in the role of prankster Mike Wazowski, while Federico Trent She stole the show as the film’s deep-voiced secretary, Roz.

The Bruins have adopted several themes over the years; Beyond “Barbie” in 2023, other reasons Nintendo characters included in 2022 and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 2021.

waiting game

Veteran forward tyler johnson I once again practiced with the main group, but there was still no news of a contract. After assigning Riley Tufte According to Providence on Sunday, the Bruins have $1,108,460 in projected cap space, per PuckPedia… Montgomery didn’t mince words when asked what Morgan Geekie (one assist in eight games) needs to do to get back to his standard set in 2023-24. “Play better,” the coach declared… As for team-wide improvements, Montgomery wants to see the Bruins continue to put pressure on opposing skaters, as was the case during Saturday’s overtime win over Toronto. “Our puck pressure last game was the best we’ve ever had, but it’s still not where it needs to be,” Montgomery said. “I wouldn’t come close to describing our team as relentless, and that’s where we want to go.”

You can contact Conor Ryan at [email protected].