Jakub Zboril, Jeremy Lauzon make themselves at home on Bruins’ blue line - The Boston Globe
Nearly three weeks into the new NHL season, the grand makeover on the Bruins’ blue line — life after Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug — has been a solid success, the new-look bunch of defensemen a dependable, efficient lot.
Meanwhile, newcomers Jakub Zboril and Jeremy Lauzon have eased seamlessly into the six-pack, Zboril on the No. 3 pairing with a rejuvenated Kevan Miller, and Lauzon aside Charlie McAvoy on the No. 1 unit. Thus far, nary a wrinkle. As of Friday night, prior to their rematch with the Flyers, the Bruins were 7-1-2 and sitting atop the East Division. That lone regulation loss was a 1-0 trimming by the Islanders, a night when the defense helped stifle the Fish Sticks to a mere 17 shots on goal.
Zboril, about to turn 24 on Feb. 21, has not been flashy, but he has been remarkably poised and proficient. He logged a stout 18:18 in average ice time across his first 10 games, patrolled his end efficiently, delivered sharp first passes as requested, and, for the most part, looked like he’s been punching the clock back there for 200-300 games rather than 2-3 weeks.
“He’s playing with confidence, courage, and conviction up here,” noted Cassidy, “and that’s what has separated him now from two years ago [during a two-game stay with the varsity in 2018-19].”
By Leach’s eye, Zboril is a “cerebral” player who thrives when playing in control. In the AHL, he noted, a defenseman wheeling the net has maybe a 50-50 chance of finding a teammate in the right spot to receive a pass and advance play up ice.
“Whereas [in the NHL] it’s closer to 100 percent that option will be there — and he might even have another one,” added Leach. “Which makes him lethal. Because he’s always set and always able to make that crisp pass.”
The slightly bigger Lauzon thus far has displayed more of a hitting penchant than Zboril. Lauzon led the team with 25 smacks through the first 10 games, with Zboril clocking in with 18. Not a huge difference, but Lauzon generally has been more of a physical presence in riding with McAvoy, while Zboril has paired with Miller, the back liners’ alpha dog in the hitting game.
“The AHL, we call it the ‘Iron League,’ because it’s really physical,” said Lauzon, who spent the better part of three seasons with the WannaBs. “As a defenseman, you get hit, I don’t know, 10 or 15 times a night.”
Nearly three weeks into the new NHL season, the grand makeover on the Bruins’ blue line — life after Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug — has been a solid success, the new-look bunch of defensemen a dependable, efficient lot.
Meanwhile, newcomers Jakub Zboril and Jeremy Lauzon have eased seamlessly into the six-pack, Zboril on the No. 3 pairing with a rejuvenated Kevan Miller, and Lauzon aside Charlie McAvoy on the No. 1 unit. Thus far, nary a wrinkle. As of Friday night, prior to their rematch with the Flyers, the Bruins were 7-1-2 and sitting atop the East Division. That lone regulation loss was a 1-0 trimming by the Islanders, a night when the defense helped stifle the Fish Sticks to a mere 17 shots on goal.
Zboril, about to turn 24 on Feb. 21, has not been flashy, but he has been remarkably poised and proficient. He logged a stout 18:18 in average ice time across his first 10 games, patrolled his end efficiently, delivered sharp first passes as requested, and, for the most part, looked like he’s been punching the clock back there for 200-300 games rather than 2-3 weeks.
“He’s playing with confidence, courage, and conviction up here,” noted Cassidy, “and that’s what has separated him now from two years ago [during a two-game stay with the varsity in 2018-19].”
By Leach’s eye, Zboril is a “cerebral” player who thrives when playing in control. In the AHL, he noted, a defenseman wheeling the net has maybe a 50-50 chance of finding a teammate in the right spot to receive a pass and advance play up ice.
“Whereas [in the NHL] it’s closer to 100 percent that option will be there — and he might even have another one,” added Leach. “Which makes him lethal. Because he’s always set and always able to make that crisp pass.”
The slightly bigger Lauzon thus far has displayed more of a hitting penchant than Zboril. Lauzon led the team with 25 smacks through the first 10 games, with Zboril clocking in with 18. Not a huge difference, but Lauzon generally has been more of a physical presence in riding with McAvoy, while Zboril has paired with Miller, the back liners’ alpha dog in the hitting game.
“The AHL, we call it the ‘Iron League,’ because it’s really physical,” said Lauzon, who spent the better part of three seasons with the WannaBs. “As a defenseman, you get hit, I don’t know, 10 or 15 times a night.”
