Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 2-1 victory over the Stars in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis…
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Bruins start strong, end up on ropes:
You couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2019-20 season for the Bruins, who sailed two pucks past Ben Bishop on their first two shots of the game on Thursday night — with Brett Ritchie and Danton Heinen giving their club some breathing room in the early going. The Stars were slow out of the gate in the opening stanza, with Boston holding a 16-8 edge in 5v5 shot attempts over the first 20 minutes of action.
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However, with Boston’s top line and primary power-play unit struggling to settle into a groove, Dallas was able to hang around the contest wore on, eventually tilting the ice back in their favor in the second period off of a tally from Roope Hintz at 7:55.
Ultimately, Boston needed Tuukka Rask to bail the B's out in the closing minutes of the contest, and the netminder delivered — stopping all 16 shots that came his way in the final period of play.
It was far from a perfect game for the Bruins, especially when taking a closer look at the club’s scuffles on the power play and in the top six, but given the circumstances against a tough Dallas club, Boston will certainly take the two points.
It’s far better than a 7-0 loss to the Caps, that’s for sure.
Bruins lose Krejci:
Despite being tabbed as a game-time decision and practicing Thursday morning, David Krejci was ultimately not given the green light in the season opener — with Boston opting to keep the pivot out of the lineup as he continues to nurse a lower-body injury.
In his stead, Bruce Cassidy opted to push Par Lindholm further up into the lineup and have him slot in at center on the second line, while keeping Charlie Coyle situated in his usual spot at 3C.
While Coyle carried over his dominant play in the preseason and was arguably Boston’s most effective forward on Thursday, Lindholm labored a bit when it came to driving a line primarily featuring Heinen and Karson Kuhlman. In total, that revamped second line was out on the ice for 12:15 of 5v5 TOI, during which the Stars held a 7-2 edge in shots on goal and an 8-4 advantage in scoring chances.
It remains to be seen just how long Krejci will be out going forward, but don’t be surprised if Cassidy once again tinkers with his lineup in order to get a bit more juice out of his top-six unit.
Roman Polak suffers scary injury
Amid all of the excitement that comes with a season opener, both the Bruins and Stars received a cruel reminder about just how dangerous the game of hockey can be — as Dallas defenseman Roman Polak had to be stretchered off the ice midway through the second period after crashing into the corner boards.
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While getting tangled up with Chris Wagner, Polak appeared to lose an edge and tumble into the boards. He was able to shift his head a bit, it still took the brunt of the damage as he collided into the corner. Polak did not appear to move as he was stretchered off the ice — with Dallas stating that the 33-year-old skater was being evaluated at the hospital. It didn’t look good, to say the least, but hopefully Polak is able to get back on the ice in short order. Scary, scary stuff.
UPDATE:
Great news for Polak and the Stars.
DAL coach Jim Montgomery tells media that Roman Polak -- who was taken off ice on a stretcher -- has full use of his extremities and is feeling better at the hospital.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 4, 2019