'We're not getting the effort required' - Out of options, Bruins sit Jake DeBrusk

Entering Tuesday, Bruce Cassidy and the Bruins had exhausted just about every option in order to spark Jake DeBrusk and give a top-heavy offense a much-needed shot in the arm.

But with the 24-year-old winger still stuck on just one goal (on the power play) through 17 games, DeBrusk is going to spend at least one game on the outside looking in at the B's lineup on Tuesday — as Cassidy confirmed that the talented winger will be scratched against the Islanders.

"We've tried different angles with Jake," Cassidy said. "He's met 1-on-1 with myself, he's met with the coaches 1-on-1, Joe (Sacco) and Jay (Pandolfo), met with lines. He's talked to some of the veteran guys. At the end of the day, we're not quite getting quite out of Jake what we want."

While Cassidy noted DeBrusk has been hampered a bit this season due to being shuffled around the lineup (including out of his natural position at left wing) and injuries, the club has also made a concerted effort at getting the hot-and-cold forward on a roll by handing him tons of starts in the offensive zone.

BSJ Analysis

We've mentioned this stat numerous times when breaking down DeBrusk's struggles, but it continues to remain relevant as far as Boston giving DeBrusk plenty of rope to work through his struggles on the ice. Among the 484 NHLers with at least 200 minutes of 5v5 ice time, DeBrusk ranks SIXTH in offensive-zone faceoff percentage at 69.05%. In other words, 69% of DeBrusk’s faceoffs have all come in the offensive zone, which should lead to better chances, given that fewer shifts are starting with taxing minutes spent defending in the B’s own end or in the neutral zone.

And yet, despite those lopsided starts, DeBrusk still has zero 5v5 goals to show for it. As we get closer and closer to the halfway point of the season, that lack of tangible production is inexcusable, especially given that it's often meant that other lines and players have had to bear the brunt of more D-zone starts and tougher assignments, all for zero reward in terms of goals on the scoreboard.

"Some of that is circumstance and situational," Cassidy said of DeBrusk. "He's moved around, been hurt. His center [David Krejci] that he's played with in the past has been hurt. But I still feel he's been given ice time to perform to the best of his ability. We just feel that we're not getting the effort required. It's not always about the scoresheet. It's about being one of 20 guys helping you win. Some nights it's there, some nights it's not.

"Again, we've tried different messaging with the player and sometimes going upstairs and taking a look is not a bad way to go and put a different perspective on it and maybe have a better appreciation for being in there. We want to make him a better player in the long run and this is the avenue we're gonna take today."

Cassidy hitting on the effort angle is certainly concerning, because even when DeBrusk wasn't lighting the lamp in years past, he was regularly using his speed to force turnovers or scrapping down low for tips and rebounds. Those instances have come few and far between this season, with the winger regularly knocked off the puck or forced wide after crossing the offensive blue line.

https://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/968645514030931968

(An example of how DeBrusk used to impact the game even when he wasn't scoring goals — with the young winger forcing a turnover with his speed and setting up Rick Nash's first goal as a Bruin back in 2018. Other than odd-man rushes or fortuitous bounces, sequences like these have been hard to come by for DeBrusk so far in 2021.)

In years past, DeBrusk has usually responded well from a night spent watching from the ninth floor — with a winger always just a fortuitous bounce or two away from embarking on one of his patented scoring salvos. At this point, a benching seems like the last remaining option for a B's team that desperately needs DeBrusk to break through in a top-six spot .. or find someone else that does.