Another Building Block:Haula was determined to keep building his game on Thursday night. After a solid effort on Tuesday night in his return from a one-game absence as a healthy scratch, the veteran forward did just that as he put together one of his best games as a Bruin.
In addition to picking up a helper on Carlo's second-period marker and providing the screen on DeBrusk's power play tally, Haula also rang two shots of his own off iron - one a nifty backhand chance off the crossbar on the game's opening shift and another square off the right post on a breakaway opportunity early in the third period.
"Felt good. Felt like that was a solid effort again," said Haula, who also drew a high-sticking penalty in the third. "Was fun playing with Smitty and Chuckie. Feel like we had really good chemistry, created some really good scoring chances. Also kept it out of our zone. I liked our game. Couple in a row now, try to stay consistent and play my game."
Haula was playing the wing for the first time in Black & Gold as he bumped up to Boston's second line to play with Smith and Coyle.
"When I first signed here, I kind of talked about that I pride myself on versatility, being able to play anywhere I'm put," said Haula. "This kind of sums it up. If it's wing, center, whatever it is, just focus on my game is the main thing - puck battles, moving my feet, being dangerous off the rush and creating. I feel like that's a couple games to build off of now and have that as a base and try to keep that level of play up."