Cehlarik Feeling Prepared for Latest Opportunity

BOSTON - Peter Cehlarik has been finding the back of the net quite frequently of late. He does not, however, believe that is sole reason he was promoted to Boston on Tuesday afternoon.
The winger has spent much of the last two seasons rounding out his game in Providence and is hopeful that his work solidifying his strength with and without the puck translates at the National Hockey League level.

"It's not about scoring," said Cehlarik, who was recalled by the Bruins for the third time in his career and first time this season. "It's about getting my game to the point where I can contribute down there and up here, as well, and be strong on the pucks, win the battles, eventually get good scoring chances and goals. I got rewarded the last couple games, so I've been feeling good."
The 23-year-old Slovakia native picked up five goals and seven points in his last four games for the P-Bruins and had taken over as the team's scoring leader (29 points) with Ryan Fitzgerald sidelined by injury and Colby Cave up in Boston. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy also noted that Cehlarik was one of Boston's better players during training camp this past fall.
"He's tied for the [scoring lead] in Providence," said Cassidy. "That's kind of put him in position, hopefully he'll have some success…Peter's played well down there. I would suspect - I hope - after a couple times up you understand what it takes to stay here.
"That's gonna be part of the test for him - can he manage the puck through the neutral zone and be in the right spots? He's a smart player, defensively he does the right things, goes to the right places.
"That was his issue the last time here, the puck management and when to make a play and when to make a play through your teammates, a safer play."

It appears that Cehlarik may be working alongside David Krejci, with whom he played with at times during his previous call-ups, though Cassidy was not yet prepared to divulge his line combinations for Wednesday night's tilt in Philadelphia.
"Obviously we're looking for some help with Krech, he played there two years ago a little bit," said Cassidy. "It's the type of line that he could help us with. That's what we're thinking, but tomorrow we'll pin that down."
"Krech wants to play on the puck and I love that," added Cehlarik. "I love to play in the O-zone, puck positioning, try to make plays. He's a great player to play with and I really enjoyed it my first year when we played some games together and built some chemistry there. It's a new year and a new chance now. Want to be better than I was before."
Cehlarik played 11 games (two assists) with Boston in 2016-17, before suiting up for six games (goal, assist) with the big club last season. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound winger believes those previous tastes of the NHL have prepared him well for another shot at the game's highest level, particularly when it comes to realizing how detailed each and every player on the ice is.
"You want to bring your game and help the team the way you can help," said Cehlarik. "But there are certain things you have to do to stick around, need to be more consistent and stay healthy and I think I'm on the right direction now and I'm happy to be here and excited to play."

Maintenance Men

The Bruins were short some bodies for Tuesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena, as Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand sat out for maintenance days. Chris Wagner (illness) and Jake DeBrusk (lower-body) also missed the session, though DeBrusk skated briefly before practice with Joakim Nordstrom.
"Wagner's a little bit under the weather," said Cassidy. "And then JD's dealing with a little bit of a lower-body injury, some discomfort out there skating. We'll see how everyone is [Wednesday]. Bergy and Marchy will be in, but I suspect the other two will be available."
Nordstrom skated for the first time since suffering a non-displaced fibula fracture at the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. The forward was originally forecast to miss at least three weeks, making it unlikely he plays before the Bruins return from the bye week/All-Star break.
"He got re-evaluated, he's able to skate," said Cassidy. "I don't believe we'll see him this week. I thought originally it was going to be a three to four week injury, so three weeks takes us into the break. I would project he would be a lot closer to playing coming out of the break."

Cave Claimed

Cave was claimed off waivers by the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday afternoon, bringing to an end a brief Black & Gold tenure for the 24-year-old Saskatchewan native. Cave played 20 games for the Bruins this season, notching a goal and four assists, before sitting out as a healthy scratch for the last five contests.
"I have a fondness for Colby. I had him down in Providence, too, and I always appreciate the guys that pay their dues down in the American League and get their opportunity somewhere else," said Cassidy. "It's a loss for the Bruins organization - he's an asset - but it's a great day for the person. It's kind of a mixed bag, but I'm happy for him right now.
"I hope he gets another opportunity to play there - who knows how it'll play out? - and extend his career in the NHL. He's a good kid, he works hard, good solid depth player and maybe he'll have a better opportunity than he was getting here recently. I hope he takes advantage of it for his sake.
"For our sake, we lose a depth player. We do have some young centermen that are coming, so hopefully it's not too much of a loss for the Bruins organization in that regard."

Halak Gets the Call

Jaroslav Halak will start between the pipes in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, with Tuukka Rask getting the call on Thursday against St. Louis at TD Garden. Cassidy has not yet decided which goaltender will play against the New York Rangers on Saturday night in the final game before the by week.