BOSTON — Milan Lucic has the ability to be one of the toughest players in the NHL to play against with his combination of size and skill. The frustrating part of his game is he’s too inconsistent, but his recent offensive production is an encouraging sign as the Bruins continue their push for a playoff spot.
Lucic played one of his best games of the season in Saturday afternoon’s 4-2 win over the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers.
The big winger gave Boston an early lead with a goal just 1:26 into the first period. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist sent a rebound into the slot and the puck hit off of Lucic’s skate and flew past the goal line. The play was reviewed and a “good goal” call resulted because there was no distinct kicking motion.
“Well it happened so fast, and I know I tried to stop the puck with my foot and didn’t try to kick it,” Lucic said. “Thankfully the call went our way, and right now we’ll take anything we get.”
Lucic added another first-period tally, his 17th of the season, on a snap shot that beat Lundqvist five-hole following a well-executed rush up ice, which included a strong net-drive by B’s defensman Torey Krug.
Lucic has tallied 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his last 14 games. Playing alongside Ryan Spooner and David Pastrnak, two young forwards who play a fast-paced game with high-end offensive skill, has benefited the veteran winger.
“It’s been good, just going out there and playing, and having fun,” Lucic said of his line. “Enjoying the game has giving all three of us success, so we’re trying to just do what we can to contribute night in and night out, and today was another day that our line was able to contribute.”
In addition to his two goals Saturday, Lucic was strong on the puck, finished his checks, forechecked aggressively and played the physical style of hockey that makes him effective. His next challenge is playing this type of game on a more consistent basis because the Bruins definitely feed off of the emotion he brings to the ice.
“I thought Looch was one of those guys that had a good game, but we can’t just look at Looch and say, ‘You’ve got to get us going,’ because I think that’s the wrong approach,” Bruins head coach Claude Julien said.
“I think we can each have our own things that we can do to help our hockey club and that’s how we have to approach the situation here.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
