Contributions from Kevan Miller and Noel Acciari go beyond the box score

BUFFALO – Analytics can’t measure the impact of Noel Acciari and Kevan Miller.

Their contributions were crucial in the Boston Bruins’ 3-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night at KeyBank Center. In a close game on the road, in the second of a back-to-back, their performances did not go unnoticed. In fact, it’s been that way the entire season.

“Those two have huge (guts),” said one NHL executive who was in attendance.



Miller played his best game to this point. It was the type of game that the Bruins needed his energy. He was physical. He didn’t make any mistakes. When the Sabres took exception to Miller’s clean hit on Jacob Josefson, teammate Zach Bogosian wanted to drop the gloves and Miller obliged.

He’s been consistently good all year. Against the Sabres, he was pinching offensively, getting shots and even hit the post. He did it all, but the fight gave the Bruins a little extra jump.

“That matters,” said Bruce Cassidy. “It gives you juice. We were having a tough time early on. I’m not going to say we were in mud, but we were searching for our legs and (Buffalo) was playing a smart game. Kevan gives us energy.”

After struggling the last few seasons, the Bruins discussed during the offseason how the organization could find its identity again. The team wanted to be feared. The team wanted players that were willing to sacrifice for the greater good. Miller and Acciari fit that role perfectly.

This isn’t about goal scorers or goaltenders that keep the puck out of the net. This is about a team that’s feeding off its role players and finding success in the process.

Acciari logged 16:24 of ice time against the Sabres, but it was his last shift that proved crucial. The Bruins were ahead 1-0 when Buffalo pulled its goalie for the extra attacker with two minutes remaining. Cassidy trusts Acciari’s game, so that’s why he was on the ice at a critical moment. He blocked an Evander Kane's shot attempt. Then Acciari blocked a Jack Eichel shot attempt. No. 55 for Boston was eating pucks like no one’s business.

"It’s unbelievable,” said Anton Khudobin. “He sacrificed (his body) for the game. It’s crucial. It was a really important moment when he got the first block. He came back a minute later a blocked another shot. I really appreciate it.”

Acciari missed 13 games after he broke his left index finger blocking a shot during a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators on opening night. He has the mindset to win no matter what the cost and he proved it again Tuesday night.

“At that point, just get in the shooting lane and pay the price for your goalie. He’s had a great game so far and you want to win the game, so just get in the shot lane and play good defense,” Acciari said.

Cassidy coached Acciari in Providence during the 2015-16 season when the then-first-year pro broke his jaw after being hit in the face by a teammate’s shot. So, watching him block shots at point-blank range in the one-goal game against the Sabres doesn’t surprise the Bruins.

“That’s Noel,” Cassidy said. “I’ve seen it a million times. I saw it break his jaw, unfortunately, and it didn’t faze him at all. It’s something he brings to the table every night. The appreciation factor teammates have for plays like that, you need to have those types of guys in the room. They’re just good soldiers and it’s very much appreciated. The hits he takes, and the hits he gives, the blocked shots, all those little things make up a team with character.”

Acciari and Miller are so important to the team’s success. It’s their respective approaches to practice and games that has earned them the respect of their teammates. Case in point: Miller is always the first Bruins player to the rink on a daily basis.

On the road, he doesn’t want to be in his hotel room twirling his thumbs. He arrives before the team bus. It’s normally Miller and captain Zdeno Chara as the first ones. Players will arrive at the rink, like Tuesday evening, and walk past Miller as he’s riding the stationary bike. His dedication, focus and work ethic is the first thing his teammates see before they walk into the locker room. Then, to see it translate into his game brings out the best in everyone else.

“Yeah, absolutely,” said veteran David Backes. “Millsey’s big hit set the tone, he’s challenged to a fight and he answers the bell. He’s been a solid force for us. . . He plays the game like a man. He’s a man’s man. He definitely gave us a little boost in the first.”

It’s those types of plays from Acciari and Miller that help build a team’s character and identity. Kevan Miller and Noel Acciari are keeping the Bruins legacy alive and well.