Matt Grzelcyk made a play earlier in the season that even surprised Patrice Bergeron.
The opponent doesn’t matter. The game was at TD Garden and the puck was in the offensive zone. The opponent rimmed it around the boards, attempting to clear the puck. Grzelcyk pinched, picked the puck off the boards and quickly made a centering pass to Bergeron, who was alone in the slot. He didn’t expect it and it handcuffed him.
Grzelcyk hasn’t surprised any of his teammates since that game.
It was an elite-level play and the rookie defenseman has made many of those this season. It happened again on Boston’s first goal to tie the game at 1-1 at 9:14 of the first period Thursday night at TD Garden. The Flyers had possession and numbers coming out of their zone. Philadelphia’s Nolan Patrick didn’t have total control of the puck, so instead of retreating, Grzelcyk stayed on the blue line. He knocked the puck free, retrieved it and chipped it deep.
Brad Marchand quickly retrieved the puck and the play ended on Riley Nash’s goal. David Pastrnak and Kevan Miller were credited with the assists, but it all started with Grzelcyk’s patience and poise.
RILEY NASH TIES IT UP FOR THE BRUINS! pic.twitter.com/kLC16wpJ7Q
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) March 9, 2018