DeBrusk Comes Through to Pace B's in Preseason Opener

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jake DeBrusk said earlier this week that he is only looking forward. And if his performance on Sunday evening was any indication, the season in front of him could be quite bright.
The fifth-year winger started off the preseason with a strong showing against the Washington Capitals that included a first-period goal and the shootout winner in Boston's 3-2 victory at Capital One Arena.

"The first game back is always a bit interesting," said DeBrusk. "I thought that we worked hard as a team. Personally, it took me a little bit more time than I thought to get used to being back playing at that pace. At the same time, obviously positives. Anytime the puck goes in the net it's always nice. It is just preseason, but it's nice to help the team win."
DeBrusk potted the Bruins' first goal of the exhibition campaign when he tied the game, 1-1, with 7:04 remaining in the first period. The 24-year-old began the sequence by firing a shot from the high slot before Connor Clifton pinched down from the point, picked up the rebound in the corner, and went hard to the net.
Clifton's chance was denied out front, but DeBrusk was there to swoop in and swat home a second chance to knot it up. In the third round of the shootout, DeBrusk ended things with a wicked wrister over the left shoulder of Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek.

"It's important for him," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Some guys, I think, it probably matters a little more, some guys are fine tuning their games in different ways. For him, when he produces, he always feels better about himself. He's around the puck. The way he scored going to the net, I think those are good positive signs for him.
"He's been with [Erik] Haula in training camp; they seemed to mesh again today. That's a good thing for us. If they can play well together, find some chemistry individually and as line mates."
DeBrusk and Haula have been skating with Nick Foligno for the first few days of camp, forming what is likely to be Boston's new-look third line to start the 2021-22 season. But with Foligno staying behind in Boston, Jesper Froden got the call to play the right wing, though that did not seem to disrupt the chemistry that the duo has built over the course of the first week of the preseason.
Like DeBrusk, Haula also scored twice - tipping home a John Moore slapper at 1:09 of the second period to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead, while also knotting the shootout at a goal apiece with a wrister over Vanecek's left shoulder in the first round.
"He's a smart player," said DeBrusk. "Obviously, he scored a shootout goal and scored [in regulation] as well. Good for him. I don't really look too far in advance. I think you guys all know, I've pretty much played with everybody. I liked playing with him tonight. Was nice to see him score."
Haula also won 17 of 24 faceoffs with a plus-two rating in 18:36 of ice time.
"He was good in the circle, obviously led to a goal, a face-off win," Cassidy said of Haula's tip-in tally. "He's on pucks, he was very engaged in the game. Obviously, the shootout is nice when those guys can finish like that; especially with their speed, they can get some breakaways this year, both him and Jake. I just thing all around it was a good night for him, good way to get going, first game for Boston.
"Even though it's preseason, I think he wants to assert himself. I think it's great if guys can push one another and he was good on the PK as well. Basically, played in every facet for us so good first game for him. Not surprised though, he's been in the league a while, he's produced. We expected him to be one of the more comfortable guys and he was."

Back for Moore

John Moore wasn't sure if he'd ever play hockey again. The veteran defenseman missed most of last season after undergoing hip surgery in late March and as a player already fighting for playing time, he wasn't quite sure what that would mean for his career.
That's why, almost six months to the day that the 30-year-old underwent a hip arthroscopy and labral repair, a Sunday afternoon preseason game against the Capitals was so meaningful.
"Coming off a really long rehab, I was so excited to see my name on the board and get the opportunity to play," said Moore, who notched two assists and was a plus-two in 21:21 of ice time. "I love hockey and it's always in the back of your mind when you go through those things that you might never come back so I'm just grateful to be out there and competing."
Moore is in a battle for playing time as he tries to navigate around several younger blue liners - like Connor Clifton, Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, and Brady Lyle - that are aiming to lock down a spot in the B's top six.
"There's not just the guys that they brought in and signed but a lot of the young players are so talented, so gifted," said Moore, who is entering his fourth season with the Bruins. "But I really just try and focus on myself and worry about what I can control and that's preparation, my compete level, and just going from there.
"If you put your best foot forward and give it your all, usually things have a way of working out so that's where my head's at going through this camp."
Cassidy said he's noticed that Moore has been "very focused in practice, very business-like" through the first few days of training camp.
"He was again tonight and he needs to be," said Cassidy. "He needs to play well in exhibition to earn playing time. He certainly was aware of that tonight and did a good job for us."

Lysell Impresses in Debut

Bruins first-round pick Fabian Lysell made his professional debut on Sunday evening, and he did not disappoint. While the 18-year-old didn't find the scoresheet, his speed and skill were on full display, as he landed three shots on goal in 14:39 of ice time.
Lysell also showed off a willingness to get to the dirty areas as he went hard to the Washington net in the second period, leading to a five-on-five scrum in the crease.
"A hockey player - he was around the puck, pulled it to space when he needed to, he attacked the net, pushed back when he needed to, made a heck of a play on the wall late to get it to the middle for a scoring chance," said Cassidy.
"He did a lot of things well, attacked, didn't look flustered, strong on his skates. A lot of good things for his first hockey game. It's not an easy team to play against. I know they didn't have a lot of their lineup, similar to us.
"But still, it's his first professional hockey game in North America, with Boston, so I thought he did a real nice job. Just his overall feel, composure and compete."
Jakub Lauko, playing alongside Lysell and Oskar Steen, likewise displayed his patented speed and skill on several occasions, as he landed two shots on goal in 18:42.

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