Oskar Steen is hoping to stick around for a while. The 23-year-old winger has not looked out of place in four games with the big club this season, notching three assists, including a nifty helper on Tomas Nosek's third-period tally in Sunday's victory over the Red Wings.
As such, the Sweden native will get another shot against the Devils, marking the first time this season and only the second time in five career call-ups that he'll play in consecutive NHL games. Steen also played back-to-back contests last March 16 and 18.
"It's huge for me to get those games and come up here and play," said Steen. "That keeps me very motivated; I'm still motivated when I'm down there [in Providence]. It's my main goal to get up here and get a regular spot in the lineup. That's what I'm aiming for."
Steen went without a point in three games with Boston last season but admitted that he feels far more at ease this year as he builds on a strong showing with the P-Bruins that his him leading the club with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 16 games.
"Yes, I do feel more confident right now," said Steen. "I've been up here [a few] times this season. I get more and more confident every time. I feel my game in Providence has been really good, so that's a key too…I don't try to change my game too much, but still, I have a little more offensive game down there…I want to get more offense up here too."
Cassidy, too, sees more conviction in Steen's game, particularly when it comes to being assertive in the offensive end.
"I think Oskar went through a bit of that last year. He was a quieter guy, he did defer a little bit in his call-ups," said Cassidy. "I remember he looked off some good shooting opportunities to make a play. I think this year he's just playing and that's what you need. That's what we try to reenforce all the time - just play. Think about competing hard every shift, understand that the game is a little quicker so you're probably gonna have to make your play a little quicker….you've got to live that and Oskar has.
"He went back down and worked on that in Providence and these last couple games there's no hesitation. You can see it. He's taken to heart what he's learned from when he's been here in his previous recalls. He's had success in the American League.
"That's the other thing, he's got some confidence in his offensive game. Throw all those things together and eventually there comes a time that the player is ready."
