Speedy forward Johnny Beecher, who sat out the first five games of the new season, finally was dropped into the lineup. He made his season debut (career game No. 131) at left wing on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic.
Morgan Geekie, who had been a fixture on the No. 1 line, was moved to a trio with ex-Av Casey Mittelstadt and Mikey Eyssimont. Pavel Zacha moved into Geekie’s prior penthouse position with Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak.
Right winger Viktor Arvidsson, who previously rode with Zacha and Mittelstadt, was moved to a new trio with Fraser Minten at pivot and Tanner Jeannot on the opposite wing.
“You never want to be out of the lineup,” noted Beecher, who spent only four games on the sidelines last season. “I am super excited to be getting my chance.”
Sturm’s new configurations partly were aimed at getting improved defensive coverage out of his trios, particularly after the Lightning scored four times on Monday and the Golden Knights followed three days later with a six-spot. He clearly was perturbed with the performance in Vegas, where the hosts erased early Bruins leads of 1-0 and 2-1, and then pretty much owned the night across the remaining 40 minutes. Boston’s boo-boos in the back constantly were exploited by the Golden Knights.
Vegas also was awarded a half-dozen power-play opportunities, inciting 1:29 worth of a five-on-three advantage, which is another reason why Sturm inserted Beecher. The 24-year-old, while not prodigious on offense, has been effective on the penalty kill and at the faceoff dot.
“Yeah, I think those are two of my biggest assets right there,” said Beecher. “So obviously we’re going up against one of the better power plays in the league, and it’ll be important to kinda hone in those details, dial in at the faceoff dot … and when you get a chance, use your speed and take the D wide.”
The Avalanche, who topped the league standings Saturday morning with a 4-0-1 mark, indeed have a fearsome power play — especially with ex-UMass Minuteman Cale Makar dealing at the point. However, they entered the evening tied for 23d on the man advantage (3 for 20, 15 percent) while the Bruins were tied for 20th (3 for 19, 15.8 percent).
Beecher, who did not show much of an offensive touch (10-11–21) in his first two NHL seasons, has a long stride and ample speed. Sturm said he wants Beecher to make the most of his speed in all situations, particularly 5-on-5.
“That’s why he’s in the lineup, too,” said Sturm. “We’ve got a speedy lineup we’re facing with Colorado, and he should keep up with them, that’s why he’s in.”
With Beecher back in action, forwards Jeffrey Viel and Marat Khusnutdinov were scratched. It was the second time in as many games for Khusnutdinov. Viel, like Beecher, sat out the first four games, then suited up Thursday and played well in Vegas.
Sturm liked what he saw of Viel, inserted because the coach wanted his strength and gumption to help counter a “heavy” Vegas team.
“It’s going to happen a lot; I’m going to rotate a few players in and out,” noted Sturm. “Sometimes it’s not even fair, like with Viel — he played great. So it’s not fair [he sat here], but I look at the Colorado team and I look at a team like tomorrow [Utah] or the next day [Tuesday vs. Brad Marchand and the Panthers] … so it’s going to happen a lot and we need everyone on board.”
Bruins forward Morgan Geekie (39) lamented some missed opportunities in Thursday’s loss at the Vegas Golden Knights. Ian Maule/Associated Press
Geekie a tad frustrated
Geekie scored two goals in the opening five games and was in prime scoring position frequently enough that he could have potted two or three more.
“I’m getting my chances,” said Geekie, who knocked home a career-high 33 goals last season. “I’m not super happy about finishing, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Case in point, noted Geekie, was a prime feed dished his way by Elias Lindholm in the Vegas game. Had he held the puck for a fraction of a second more, he figures, he could have opted for a different shot on netminder Akira Schmid.
“Lindy made a great play,” said Geekie, “and all I had to do was hold it for a split second and go the other way — he wasn’t even looking. You look back and hindsight is 20/20 … and I’ve had a few others when either the puck’s hopped over my stick or maybe I missed my spot or maybe I’ve been a little unlucky.
“If the chances are coming, it’s tough to be mad about that … just bear down a little bit more. It’s not like I’m not seeing them go in, but it would be nice to see a few more go in.”
Geekie toiled his first two NHL seasons in Carolina, where he was a frequent lineup scratch, making him now appreciative of the mind-set Beecher experienced while sitting out the first five games.
“You eventually come back into the lineup, and you almost want to do too much when you come back, right?” he said. “You want to prove that you belong. But Beech is awesome. We’ve been hanging out a lot off the ice and I think he’s handled it like a true pro.
“It’s a tough position for anybody. From a personal experience, you feel like you’re not a part of the team, you’re not out there battling, so it can be tough not having that connection with everybody, but he’s a huge part of this team.”
Swayman again gets the nod
Jeremy Swayman, after giving up a half-dozen goals Thursday in Vegas, was back in net, marking the first time this season he’s made back-to-back starts. Provided Sturm keeps to the plan he sketched out prior to the trip, Joonas Korpisalo will wrap up the three-game trip Sunday night in Salt Lake City … Ex-Carolina forward Martin Necas entered the night as Colorado’s top producer (3-6–9) in five games. On target to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Necas is a lock to join David Pastrnak, and perhaps be Pasta’s pivot, for the Czech team at the upcoming Olympics. The Avalanche appear eager to keep Necas, though his asking price likely will be $12 million a year, or more.
Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at [email protected].
