The Boston Bruins winger said he's played his best hockey in the past year and is happy with what he's done in training camp thus far.
BRIGHTON, Mass. – Anthony Richard will get his second in-game look on Friday when the Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden for their third of six total preseason matchups.
The 26-year-old winger has consistently built his game through the first week of training camp and got some top six reps during Thursday’s practice, skating with Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak.
“I had a couple of good linemates over the week – [Morgan] Geekie and [Trent] Frederic was pretty good to play with. They’re easy, they’re working out hard – but obviously ‘Pasta’ and [Pavel] Zacha are outstanding players,” Richard told reporters Thursday.
“It’s easier for me to play with them,” Richard said. “Just put your stick on the ice and sometimes it’s coming when you don’t expect it.”
With Pastrnak and Zacha set to make their preseason debuts on Friday, that practice line will likely get a test run come puck drop at 7 p.m. ET. NHL regulars Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will also be in the lineup.
Richard spent the majority of the 2022-23 season with the Montreal Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, before inking a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Boston in July.
The spunky forward sparked Laval’s offense with 30 goals and 37 assists in 67 games while serving an instrumental role on the squad’s special teams; Richard potted eight power play and four short-handed tallies. In 13 NHL games with the Habs, Richard added three goals and two assists.
Richard said he felt put in a position to succeed in Laval – eating up ice time on special teams, grinding on the forecheck and forcing pucks deep on the rush –– which has given him confidence as he integrates himself into the B’s system.
“When I talked to management here, it seemed they were playing the same type of hockey here; they’re an offensive team but they’re trying to play with pace which suits my game pretty good,” Richard said.
As with a majority of the newly acquired forwards battling for a permanent bottom six slotting, Richard is willing to fill any position Boston may need from him. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder played on the fourth-line when called up with the Canadiens last season and was able to tap into the more physical, edgy side of his game.
“I’m not afraid to hit somebody sometimes. Any role, I’m good with it,” Richard said.
Richard’s preseason game action has been solid thus far; he was part of the Bruins’ 3-0 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday and made his presence known.
Richard opened the night with a high-danger look after he picked up a Frederic pass at the blue line and beat Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick clean, but ultimately hit the post. Richard followed that chance with a nifty defensive read in the second period, intercepting a Rangers pass in the slot, and quickly snapped it on net to be swallowed.
While not rewarded with a goal, Richard inserted himself into the Bruins’ two-way play and wasn’t afraid to take risks to help his team win –– he’ll no doubt look to do more of that on Friday against Philly.
“For myself, I’m pretty happy with the way I’ve played the last seven or eight days,” Richard said.
“As we speak right now, I’ve never played better since probably the last 12 months. Coming to camp I was really confident I could make a push and show the coaching staff and the management that they made the right decision to sign me.”