The rookie scored twice in the Boston Bruins' 6-2 win over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at TD Garden.
In just 13 NHL games, Justin Brazeau has become a certified force for the Boston Bruins.
The 26-year-old forward potted two power-play goals in the B’s 6-2 win over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at TD Garden, showcasing his flair and poise in front of the net.
Brazeau, who played most of the season with AHL Providence, signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Bruins on Feb. 19 and has carved himself a role on the fourth line – and second power play unit – ever since.
“I think I’m just getting more confidence every game I play,” Brazeau said Tuesday. “I think the league almost slows down a little bit when you get that confidence, and you can make more plays with pucks.”
Brazeau’s first goal of the game came at the beginning of the second period and extended Boston’s lead to 3-1. The rookie tracked down the rebound of Kevin Shattenkirk’s point shot, brought it to his forehand and knocked it past Senators goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
“I’m really comfortable down there, especially with these guys – I know they can make so many good plays, I just kind of have to get in front of the net and screen the goalie,” Brazeau said.
Brazeau’s size – 6-foot-5, 220 pounds – has been a welcome addition to the Bruins’ second power play unit where he occupies the net front. It’s a position Boston coach Jim Montgomery said he knew Brazeau would grow into when called up from Providence.
“He seems to get to every puck below the goal line, he makes subtle little smart plays, and you saw his ability – he has a nice touch,” Montgomery said Tuesday. “I’m glad he got rewarded because he’s been playing a lot better than what his stats have shown on paper.”
Brazeau brought the game to its final 6-2 score at 18:06 of the third period while on the man advantage. He made space for himself down low before flicking the puck in and securing his first multi-goal performance in the big leagues.
On both scoring plays Brazeau had a certain composure – he knew exactly what to do.
“I’ve kind of done that my whole career, my whole life,” Brazeau said. “That’s where I feel most comfortable and that’s where I like to go.”
Brazeau has been skating on the fourth line with Jesper Boqvist and Johnny Beecher – two guys with whom he’s previously played with in Providence. In the final stretch of the regular season, the trio is trying to prove they’re the top choice come Game 1 of the playoffs.
Newly acquired Pat Maroon remains week to week after undergoing back surgery in early February, and when healthy, is primed to play a similar big-man, bottom-six role as Brazeau – or, perhaps, in place of Brazeau. It’s a reality that is clear to him and his linemates.
“Obviously we are all kind of doing the same thing as far as we know we have to play every shift as hard as we can to earn our next one. I think it makes it easy for us to try to play the right way,” Brazeau said of himself, Boqvist and Beecher.
“For me, every game is a tryout, so I gotta keep playing the right way and keep doing the right things to hopefully earn another game.”
For now, Brazeau has done just that.
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