Jake DeBrusk’s fresh start, John Moore fighting for reps & more takeaways from Bruins preseason win over Caps

The Bruins opened their preseason slate of games with a 3-2 shootout win over the Capitals on Sunday evening at Capital One Arena. Here are 5 takeaways from Boston’s first on-ice matchup of the 2021-22 NHL season.

Box Score

Jake DeBrusk gets rolling

Is it the preseason? Yes. 

So should we put a whole lot of stock into any stats put up over the next few weeks? Probably not. 

Still, as far as momentum goes and the importance of wiping the slate clean ahead of a new season — the Bruins have to be very encouraged by the performance that Jake DeBrusk put forward on Sunday evening. 

Looking for a major bounce-back campaign after only lighting the lamp five times over 41 games last season, DeBrusk scored twice on Sunday — opening the scoring for Boston at 12:56 in the first before ending things in the shootout with a quick wrister. 

DeBrusk, one of the few NHL regulars in Boston’s forward corps on Sunday, did his damage on the scoresheet, but perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from the night was that the winger went back to basics and was much more engaged on a number of his shifts. 

As we’ve seen throughout the last couple of years when DeBrusk is on one of his trademark heaters, goals tend to come in bunches when the forward is driving to the net and hanging around in Grade-A ice for tips, rebounds and other opportunities — and such was the case when he flipped home a loose puck in the first after Connor Clifton drove to the net. 

DeBrusk nearly scored later in the game by following the same script, planting himself down low and nearly knocking a puck past Vitek Vanecek in the third. 

All in all, it was a good showing from two of the three projected regulars on a new-look third line, as Erik Haula gave Boston a 2-1 lead early in the second period after winning an O-zone faceoff and deflecting a John Moore shot home for his first goal in a B’s sweater. 

"It's important, I think, for him," Bruce Cassidy said of Jake DeBrusk's showing. "Some guys, it'll probably matter a little more. Some guys are fine tuning their game in different ways. But I think for him, when he produces — he always feels better about himself and he's around the puck and the way he scored — going to the net. I think those are good, positive signs for him. He's been with Haula in training camp. They seemed to mesh again today. So that's a good thing for us if they can play well together, find some chemistry individually and as linemates.

John Moore sharp with reps at a premium entering fourth season with Boston

Sunday stood as John Moore’s first taste of pro hockey since back on February 26, 2021, but the veteran defenseman sure didn’t look all that rusty, recording assists on both DeBrusk and Haula’s goals while logging 21:22 of ice time. 

For Moore, it was a major step in the right direction after spending the last 5-plus months on the shelf due to hip surgery, which effectively ended his previous season back in March. 

But in the bigger picture, a strong preseason might be a necessity if the 30-year-old skater wants to remain on the B’s roster. With the left side of Boston’s defense essentially locked in going into the year with Derek Forbort, Matt Grzelcyk and Mike Reilly, Moore might be looking at a 7th D or another bench role to open the season. 

But with other left-shot blueliners also vying for a similar spot on Boston’s depth chart in Jakub Zboril, Urho Vaakanainen and perhaps even a Jack Ahcan — Moore will likely be looking over his shoulder for most of the preseason. 

"He's a guy that is in a battle for playing time this year," Cassidy said of Moore. "So these games are important to him. Most veterans like that, it's more about sharpening your game, getting ready for opening night. But he's in a little bit of a different situation. He missed time as you said, a lot of time. And he is in a battle for a spot so these games are of more value.”

“He's been very focused in practice. Very businesslike and he was again tonight. He needs to be. "Like I said, one of things we talked about in preseason — everyone's in different spots and where they're at.  ... He needs to play well in exhibition to earn playing time. So he certainly was aware of that tonight and did a good job for us."

While Moore was impressive and Connor Clifton put together a couple of trademark shifts while activating off the blue line, the B’s pairing of Vaakanainen and Tyler Lewington had a bit of a rougher go of it — with the latter out on the ice for both of Washington’s tallies and each skater getting whistled for a penalty. 

Jeremy Swayman sharp in first half

Jeremy Swayman will probably want back the first shots that sailed his way to open the 2021-22 season. 

At 4:15 in the opening frame, Martin Has’ shot from the blue line clanged off of Swayman and skittered back in front — opening the door for Joe Snively to cash in on the juicy rebound to put the Caps up, 1-0, in the early going. 

Far from an ideal start for the rookie, but as we saw throughout Swayman’s impressive run last spring — a miscue or setback (self-inflicted or a byproduct of a sleepy defense) rarely seems to rattle him between the pipes. 

Sure enough, Swayman didn’t budge for the remainder of his outing — stopping the final 17 shots that came his way before getting pulled midway through the second in place of Troy Grosenick. 

Some of the hallmarks of Swayman’s game were on full display in his preseason debut — with the 22-year-old netminder’s lateral movement allowing him to seal off the post and stymie a couple of power-play chances for the Caps. 

So far, so good for half of Boston’s new-look rotation in net — with Linus Ullmark potentially due up on Tuesday against the Rangers.

(Grosenick — who will likely share some reps with Kyle Keyser down in Providence this season — was solid after replacing Swayman, stopping 11 of the 12 shots that came his way.)

Lysell, Lauko showcase skill … and snarl

They didn’t land a scoresheet, but two of Boston’s more intriguing prospects in Fabian Lysell and Jakub Lauko sure didn’t look intimated against some NHL competition on Sunday.

Lauko, now 21 and with a few preseasons already under his belt, is expected to battle with the big boys up in the pro ranks these days — even if he did get walloped on an open-ice hit from Dmitry Orlov in the third period. Still, even if Lauko does project as more of an effective bottom-six regular, he does showcase some of that tantalizing skill that could make him a 15+ goal scorer in the near future. 

Lysell, meanwhile, drew some praise for Cassidy postgame — not only for driving inside against competition 5-10 years older than him, but for also getting involved in a few post-whistle scraps.

"He was around the puck," Cassidy said. "Pulled into space when he needed to. ... He did a lot of things well. Attacked, didn't look flustered.  ... A lot of good things for his first (NHL) hockey game."

McIlrath takes out Fogarty with dangerous hit 

A scary sight early in the third period, as B’s forward Steven Fogarty was drilled from a high hit by Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath. McIlrath, who caught Fogarty with an elbow directly to his chin, was handed a five-minute major and game misconduct for the dangerous hit. 

Fogarty needed to be helped off the ice and down the tunnel, and did not return for the remainder of the game. Fogarty, 28, is expected to be a regular contributor down the middle for Providence this season — and the AHL regular skated in a top-six role on Sunday as the pivot between Anton Blidh and Chris Wagner. 

As expected, Cassidy did not have a full update on Fogarty after the game. 

"He did not come back. Obviously it was a hit to the head. ... Wasn't able to finish," Cassidy said. "Don't want to rush to a diagnosis until he gets seen at home. But those ones like that, you're always hoping for the best, I guess."