After encouraging start, Bruins’ youngest line set for toughest test yet

The Bruins’ latest youth movement has had a rocky start in 2018-19 — with players like Anders Bjork and Ryan Donato sent down to for stints in the AHL, while second-year skaters like Danton Heinen struggled to find their footing (five points in 26 games) to open a new campaign.

But on a B's club in desperate need of some secondary scoring, a line with an average age of 22 is serving as a breath of fresh air.

They’ve only logged two whole games as a trio, but Boston’s new third line of Donato, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Heinen have been encouraging in their small sample size — highlighted by Heinen’s second goal in three games on Tuesday against Arizona, which sparked a four-goal salvo en route to a 4-3 win.

Even with some chemistry brewing between the three in the offensive zone, players like Donato and Forsbacka Karlsson are still learning the ropes on what it takes to be dependable, everyday contributors up in the NHL.

One thing that could help their case is their play away from the puck — or at the very least, showcasing a B-game that can keep them in the lineup even when the scoring chances aren’t falling their way.

Even with some offensive production, the JFK line relinquished its fair share of chances against the Coyotes — a club that ranks 29th in the NHL in goals per game at a paltry 2.53.

Over the 11:25 of five-on-five TOI in which both Donato and Forsbacka Karlsson were on the ice, Boston held the edge in the defining metric — goals for — at 1-0. But during that same stretch, Arizona actually held an advantage in both attempts, 17-12, and scoring chances — at an eye-opening 10-2 mark.

And while the Coyotes weren’t able to pounce on their looks at Boston’s net, the B’s may not be so lucky if Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the Penguins’ high-powered offense generates those some chances on Friday night.

Despite their struggles this year, Pittsburgh has the talent to bury a team in a hurry, ranking eighth in the league in goals per game at 3.33. Given the inexperience of his third line, Bruce Cassidy is well aware of the fact that Donato-JFK-Heinen could see some extended matchups against either Crosby or Malkin Friday.

While the plan is to roll that line out as is to start Friday’s matchup, Cassidy added that the group could be juggled around if they find themselves on the ropes as the game progresses.

The last time Boston and Pittsburgh battled on Nov. 23, Forsbacka Karlsson centered the B’s top line and matched up with Crosby — no easy task for a player with just 14 NHL games under his belt.

The Crosby line did not score against JFK during what was a 2-1 OT win for the Bruins, but No. 87 and Co. did hold an 8-4 edge in scoring chances, while Forsbacka Karlsson lost eight of nine draws against the future Hall of Famer.

It might be a tall task for JFK and his linemates, especially without any steadying veterans up front, but Cassidy was candid about the challenge that might await his third line on Friday.



“I always felt that if you’re going to play in the league, you can’t run from matchups,” Cassidy said. “There’s certain ones you want to avoid, but you’ve got to prove you can play. Or at least hold your own. (Friday) night might be one of those nights where they need to keep their head above water and do their job. … If they want to stay together as a line, that’s the other message. Listen, if guys enjoy playing with one another you’ve got to be able to play night after night after night.”

They may not be as dynamic as they were during rushes down on the ice against Arizona, but so long as that third line can be responsible away from the puck, they stand a chance of avoiding a haymaker from the Pens’ forwards — as well as a likely breakup on Cassidy’s orders.

Winning faceoffs would certainly help that trio out, while Heinen — who has found a spot in the lineup even during his scoring woes thanks to his play away from the puck — will also be counted on to put out any fires.

“I like Danton’s accountability,” Cassidy said of his right wing. “I like that he returns to the defensive zone and it tends to sort out quickly. Ryan is still learning that part of the game. I like Danton in that area, no matter what line he’s on. He’s going to play the right way in terms of where to go. For Danton, it’s a matter of where is his best chemistry to get his offensive numbers up. So far, he’s done a good job with that line. Who knows down the road, that could change when we get a complete lineup.”

The possibility of going head-to-head with a player like Crosby seems pretty daunting for someone like Donato. But for now, the rookie is taking the challenge in stride.

“It should be awesome,” Donato said. “I was lucky enough to play against some good guys in the Olympics. Just having that mindset of not getting into too much of an awe really, and just playing the game and just playing hockey. At the end of the day, that’s what he’s going to be doing. I can’t really get caught up in that.”