Through five games with Providence, Steen has logged three goals and two assists. The forward will enter the Bruins lineup Saturday against the Red Wings.
Oskar Steen turned his Boston Bruins training camp disappointment into fuel when sent down to Providence (AHL), and it earned him a spot in the NHL lineup just a month later.
The Bruins announced Saturday that Milan Lucic (lower body) has been placed on long-term injured reserve, and the team called up Steen in the veteran forward’s absence. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Lucic will be out a “couple of weeks at the minimum,” specifying that that meant two, not three weeks.
Montgomery confirmed Steen will be playing Saturday night against the Detroit Red Wings.
Steen has gotten off to a hot start during his fourth season with Providence, logging three goals and two assists in five games thus far.
“I know what I have to do and I feel much more comfortable every time I get up here and try to bring my good hockey that I’ve played so far, so that’s what I’m aiming for,” Steen said after the Bruins’ Saturday morning optional skate.
“Just keep going. I was trying to think that I will be back here soon, and now I am, so that was my goal.”
Sep 27, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Oskar Steen (62) celebrates his goal with his teammates during the third period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsWith both Lucic and Jakub Lauko out, the fourth line has had a different look the past few games. Jesper Boqvist and Patrick Brown slotted in with Johnny Beecher against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, but Montgomery confirmed that Boqvist will be out on Saturday, likely opening the spot for Steen on the wing.
Montgomery said he liked what he saw from Steen during training camp, specifically his willingness to play the grinding team game the Bruins are known for.
“Really good camp, just playing fast and going to hard areas, playing inside the dots – it’s a real strength of his,” Montgomery said.
Steen’s down-low presence has been a high point in his development and a component that may separate him from others vying for the fourth line role. The Swedish forward netted a preseason goal this year against the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 27 off a greasy net-front rebound – Montgomery and Co. will look for Steen to lean into that type of play while in the lineup.
“I think that’s a big part of my game and I have improved that part a lot; getting net-front, winning battles, getting rebounds,” Steen said. “I play fast, shoot the puck, winning battles and play a good game overall.”
Saturday night at TD Garden will be Steen’s 27th NHL appearance as the Bruins aim to bounce back from the unraveling 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks on Thursday. For the 25-year-old forward, the call-up is an opportunity to try to prove, once again, that he belongs in the big leagues. And this year, the Bruins have had much room for pleasant surprises.
“There’s just more opportunity to gain ice time this year than there was last year. Just because of the way we are: we’re younger, we’re a little rawer which tends to lead to either really good performances or sometimes not as good,” Montgomery said.
“That also means there’s inconsistency, so the opportunity to come in here and gain minutes is more readily available than I think it was last year.”
Puck drop against the Red Wings is set for 7 p.m. – follow The Hockey News for full game coverage.