fb-pixelBruins' Justin Brazeau knows he needs to be a net-front presence Skip to main content
bruins notebook

Justin Brazeau knows his place with the Bruins — it’s at the net-front

Justin Brazeau does his best work when he parks his big body in front of the net.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Justin Brazeau doesn’t boast the same 0-to-60 acceleration as his Bruins teammate Johnny Beecher.

He doesn’t wield the kind of one-timer David Pastrnak has in his arsenal, and he doesn’t have the hands to dangle past opponents like his captain, Brad Marchand.

But the 26-year-old winger isn’t fretting over any supposed limitations.

Even with just 26 games of NHL reps under his belt, Brazeau knows what type of player he is. And more importantly, he knows what he needs to do to thrive.

For the 6-foot-5-inch forward, it’s all about planting himself around the net-front.

“Just knowing who you are, what you do, what you do well on the ice — I’m never trying to be somebody I’m not,” Brazeau said Monday. “I always just go out there knowing exactly what I need to do to help the team.”

FEATURED VIDEO

Brazeau’s skill set may not be flashy, but the Ontario product has the tools to do plenty of damage in Grade-A ice. While his 220-pound frame makes him a nuisance around the crease, his stickhandling in tight areas and long reach make him a human Dyson for skittering pucks around high-danger areas.

On a team currently ranked 29th in five-on-five high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (8.86), Brazeau has been a welcome sight around the net-front.

He is tied for second on the team in individual high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five play with six, with four of those coming in his last two games against the Stars and Maple Leafs.

It’s the type of response coach Jim Montgomery was banking on after scratching Brazeau (1 point in five games) Oct. 22 against the Predators.

Advertisement

“I think his stick has been really good offensively, but more so defensively — causing turnovers in the D-zone, causing turnovers on the forecheck,” Montgomery said. “And then getting to the areas that he has success in.”

After watching that 4-0 loss to Nashville from high above the ice, Brazeau responded with goals against the Stars and Maple Leafs on Thursday and Saturday.

Both were a direct result of Brazeau either slinging the puck over from the goal line or waiting near the low slot for a rebound.

“Around the net-front, he’s so big and skilled down low in the corners,” Marchand said Saturday. “When he gets around there, he’s dangerous and he’s going to produce. So it’s great in that sense where he has that confidence now.

“When you get a couple, that’s what happens, your confidence grows and builds.”

Given the Bruins’ dearth of quality scoring chances, Montgomery is hoping that a top-six promotion for Brazeau will give the forward corps a lift.

Brazeau skated with the second line alongside Marchand and Charlie Coyle during Monday’s practice, looking to elevate a duo who have generated zero goals and just 1 point so far this season at five-on-five play.

Brazeau isn’t worried about changing his approach if he’s skating with Coyle and Marchand Tuesday against the Flyers. Odds are his linemates will know where to find him.

“I don’t think anything should change,” Brazeau said. “I just got to kind of do what I do best, make some room out there for those guys, try to be hard on the forecheck to help them get pucks back, be at that net, so when they’re making their plays and stuff like that, I’m there for the second opportunity.”

Advertisement

Costume party

The Bruins took part in their annual Halloween hospital visits at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital Monday.

After opting for a tropical theme last fall by dressing as various “Barbie” and “Ken” dolls, the Bruins went for more of a throwback with costumes from the Pixar film “Monsters Inc.”

Marchand was fittingly handed the role of the wisecracking Mike Wazowski, while Trent Frederic stole the show as the film’s gravelly voiced secretary, Roz.

The Bruins have adopted several themes over the years; beyond “Barbie” in 2023, other motifs included Nintendo characters in 2022 and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 2021.

Waiting game

Veteran forward Tyler Johnson once again practiced with the main group, but there was still no word of a contract. After assigning Riley Tufte to Providence Sunday, the Bruins have $1,108,460 in projected cap space, per PuckPedia . . . Montgomery didn’t mince words when asked what Morgan Geekie (1 assist in eight games) needs to do to get back to his standard set in 2023-24. “Play better,” the coach declared . . . As far as teamwide improvements, Montgomery wants to see the Bruins continue to put opposing skaters under duress, as was the case during Saturday’s overtime win over Toronto. “Our puck pressure last game was the best it’s been, but it’s still not where it needs to be,” Montgomery said. “I would not come close to describing our team as relentless, and that’s where we want to get to.”

Conor Ryan can be reached at conor.ryan@globe.com.