Daugavins Skates With Third Line, Kelly Drops To Fourth Line At Bruins Morning Skate
BOSTON (CBS) -- The debate surrounding who should take the vacant roster spot left by Gregory Campbell ended at Friday's morning skate.
Kaspars Daugavins, out of action since May 1, stepped in to play left wing on the third line, with Rich Peverley sliding over to play center and Tyler Seguin on the right wing.
Chris Kelly, normally the third line center, was bumped down to the fourth line, centering Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton.
Head coach Claude Julien confirmed after the skate that Daugavins would be in the lineup.
"I'm ready to jump in and excited for the opportunity," the forward said after Friday's morning skate. "I haven't played in a while and the playoffs are the best time of the year. It's going to be fun."
"I want to make sure, from the start, that I play with a lot of energy and make sure I keep it simple because I haven't played in a while," he added. "(I have to) get pucks deep; that's where my best game is – down low in their end."
"He's a gritty player," said Julien. "He's strong on the puck, strong as an individual, he can shoot the puck -- got a lot of qualities. We've always said we've got depth on this team. We showed it when injuries crept up on defense, now we've got an injury up front. He's going to have to step in and do his job."
Daugavins, 25, was acquired by the Bruins at the end of March, claimed off waivers from Ottawa. He played in six games for Boston, registering one assist and a minus-1 rating, before taking Peverley's place in the lineup for Game 1 against Toronto, a 4-1 Bruins win.
Kelly has skated in all 15 postseason games but has yet to register a point. He has a minus-6 rating, lowest on the team. Peverley, meanwhile, has one goal and no assists in 14 playoff games to go with a minus-4 rating, while Seguin has one goal and three assists to go with a minus-1 rating.
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