Beleskey: 'More Confidence' At Heart Of Improved Secondary Scoring During Bruins' Hot Streak
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- For the first nine games of the season, Bruins winger Matt Beleskey was at the heart of one of the team's biggest problems. The third line, which started as Beleskey-Riley Nash-Jimmy Hayes, was a black hole of production to start the season, and it wasn't just an inability to finish scoring chances - the line could barely put together a serviceable possession.
Since Beleskey was scratched on Nov. 3, the line has largely turned the corner. The improvement in the Bruins' other forward groups besides the top line, which may be the best in the NHL, has been a major component of the Bruins' recent success.
The team's first game since scratching Beleskey, a 5-2 home loss to the New York Rangers, wasn't pretty - but Beleskey logged four shots on goal and six hits in that game. The message had been received.
Since then, the Bruins have rattled off four wins in five games. Including the Rangers loss, the new look line of Beleskey, Nash, and Austin Czarnik has combined for three goals and six assists in the last six games. It's been a stark contrast from the line's zero collective points in the first nine.
It would be fair to point to the replacement of the struggling Jimmy Hayes with Czarnik, who was sent to Providence on Oct. 20 and returned on Oct. 26, as a spark for the recent uptick in performance and production for the third line. Czarnik has certainly passed the "eye test" with his consistent hustle and ability to win puck battles, and it's translated to better puck control - and more goals - for the line, something the Bruins desperately needed to stay afloat in the standings.
Beleskey joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Thursday morning and was asked about the improvement of his line. He attributed their recent success to playing with "more confidence," especially for the 24-year-old rookie Czarnik.
"Confidence is huge with young guys," said Beleskey. "He's got some confidence right now, which is great."
That Nov. 5 loss to the Rangers also marked the return of David Backes, who slotted back in on the right wing with David Krejci. It's no coincidence that Krejci has also looked more like himself lately, as he's scored two goals and added four assists in the past six games. But the improvement of both the Krejci line and the third line has no doubt helped spur the Bruins' recent hot streak and has pulled them out of the doldrums of being a one-line team.
Of course, it remains to be seen how the Bruins perform when they face better, deeper competition. They won't face Washington until Dec. 7, Pittsburgh until Dec. 14, or Chicago until Jan. 20. They're a combined 0-4 against the Rangers and Canadiens. But the improved confidence on the third line and emergence of the Krejci line as an offensive force can only help the team moving forward.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
