Bruins Return to TD Garden with Preseason Victory Over Flyers

BOSTON - The Bruins returned to TD Garden on Thursday night with a 4-2 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers behind goals from Brad Marchand, Craig Smith, Brandon Carlo, and Jake DeBrusk. Here are some notes and observations from the win:

Power Surge:The Bruins scored twice on the man advantage in the first period on their way to building a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes. Marchand tied the game, 1-1, with a quick, spin-and-fire wrister before Smith one-timed home a Nick Foligno dish to put Boston ahead, 2-1, giving both power-play units a tally in the opening frame.
The first goal came off a diving feed from Taylor Hall, who lunged through three Flyers as he fell to the ice to knock the puck across the crease to an open Marchand. It was Hall's first look with the B's top power-play unit, which he joined in the net-front position, a spot he had much success with early on in his career with Edmonton.
"It was fun. They're four really skilled guys, some of the best players in the league," Hall said of Boston's top power play, which also boasts Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy. "That [net-]front position, I think it's important. Just like that goal, I've got to get pucks back for those guys. I think as I get more comfortable just being on the ice with those guys - I mean, I don't even know if I had a shift with Brad one time last season, right?
"So, you get chemistry with those guys, you read their game, and at the end of the day it's about making plays and contributing to a unit that's really important to our group. So, that was a lot of fun tonight."
Hall realizes that he is not a traditional net-front presence who boasts size and strength, but believes retrieving loose pucks and rebounds for his linemates could be a strength.
"Well, I'm not 230 [pounds], I'm not gonna be a guy who just stands and screens the whole time," said Hall. "I don't think that really plays to my strengths. But what I can do is be on the goal line, step out and pass, take it to the net myself, and be ready for deflections and tips. Then like I said, it's about getting pucks back. Not every shot's going to go in.
"So, reading where that rebound is, making a play on the puck, and getting it back to someone so we can restart and go from there. But I don't think I'm going to be Nick Ritchie. I think it'll be something different than that and, hopefully, we have some success."

Man in the Middle: Jack Studnicka got his first chance to center Hall and Smith during game action as he subs in for Charlie Coyle as the veteran center continues his progression back from offseason knee surgery. While Studnicka did not find the scoresheet as he did with a standout performance (goal, assist) in New York on Wednesday night, Hall could see plenty of potential in his pivot's game.
"I thought he was good," said Hall. "It was a sloppy game. I didn't feel great personally. I don't know how much me or Smitty helped him in the middle there. We had some plays down in our end where we didn't get pucks out the way that we can and as cleanly as we can, but I thought he did a good job rushing the puck up the ice, getting in the middle. We were really close on a few plays in zone.
"He's had a really good training camp and you saw his game at MSG the other night; he was very good. He's got a bright future. He loves to carry the puck. I think his give-and-go game has got to be a strength of his and I know there's pressure on him to be that next wave of a centerman for the Bruins, but he's got to forge his own path and be his own player and I think he's doing all right with that."

Haula's Helpers:Erik Haula picked up two assists - including a beautiful saucer feed to pick up a secondary helper on Smith's power-play marker - and added four shots on goal as his strong inaugural preseason in Black & Gold continued. The centerman appears to be finding quick chemistry with linemate Jake DeBrusk, who potted his second of the preseason after Haula pinched down the wall and blocked a Flyers clearing attempt.
DeBrusk collected the loose puck in the corner and went hard to the side of the net before jamming one home to extend Boston's lead to 4-1 with 1:29 left in the second period.
"Try to communicate off the ice a lot, on the bench," Haula said of his connection with DeBrusk. "I think we're just both having fun and looking at this as a good opportunity: me, JD, and Nick [Foligno]. We're just having fun and working hard. It's nice to have a couple bounces early and keep on building."
Coach Bruce Cassidy believes that Haula brings a level of pace through the middle of the ice that is different than what the Bruins are used to with methodical and patient centers like Bergeron, David Krejci, and Coyle having manned the middle for years.
"He's been a good player for us," said Cassidy. "He's around the puck a lot, he's willing to shoot, he can make some plays. He's got good pace through the middle of the ice. I think he knows where he needs to be to be effective and that's through the middle.
"He's in good spots to receive passes. He's been strong on the draws, and like I said, a different pace in the middle than what we're used to as a left stick as well. Looks like him and Jake played well together, so we will try to keep that together."

Shutting it Down:Jeremy Swayman got his first full game action of the preseason and stopped 16 of 18 shots for the victory. The netminder was pleased with his outing, which included three stops in a shootout that both teams agreed to participate in following regulation.
"It was great. I was super happy," said Swayman. "Having that half game against Washington definitely helped me know where I was conditioning wise and I just through going into tonight, mentally, physically I was ready to go and it felt good. I was happy with it."

Settling In:Hall said he believes he's been able to elevate his game a notch during this training camp as he continues to feel more and more comfortable in a Bruins uniform.
"Just coming to the rink today, I felt a much more heightened sense of calm just because I'd been around here, I've played the system, I've played with these guys a lot, I know the coaching staff," said Hall. "And just the last week of training camp is - I think it's gotten me to another level of my game just being comfortable with everyone here, and hopefully, I can improve on my season last year with that added comfort."

Cutting It Down: Cassidy said he was scheduled to talk with general manager Don Sweeney on Thursday night to talk about the next potential round of cuts. Boston's bench boss plans to play a similar varsity-type lineup on Saturday against the Rangers and next Wednesday against the Capitals in the preseason finale. A younger group will travel to Philadelphia on Monday night.
"[Linus] Ullmark is scheduled to play the whole game on Saturday, see how that goes," said Cassidy. "There will be cuts over the next two or three days. Whether they are all at once or we trim half a dozen or so, I don't know. I'll have to get with Donny on that."