How Jakub Lauko Changed His Game To Fit NHL Role
The Boston Bruins forward has three points in his last three games while skating with Morgan Geekie and Trent Frederic on the third line.
How Jakub Lauko Changed His Game To Fit NHL RoleJakub Lauko called it a “self-realization.”
After three seasons in the AHL, the Boston Bruins forward decided he needed to change the identity of his game. Yes, Lauko liked scoring goals, but to crack an NHL lineup he needed to offer more.
“After the last season in Providence, it was just like ‘Hey I can not play like this, I cannot pretend to be someone that I’m not,’” Lauko said Tuesday.
The Bruins’ top six was a lock in the 2022-23 season, and while there’s more movement this year, Lauko’s not going to displace players like Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak or Jake DeBrusk. Instead, he’s buying into a bottom six role that has been important to Boston’s depth as it sits in first place in the Atlantic Division.
“I kind of realized over the years that I’m not as talented as the guys around me. So for me, it was making the change of the way how I’m playing, how I want to play,” Lauko. “It was just self realization that I need to change a little bit. Be more gritty, be more hard, be more physical.”
Lauko has been exactly that while recently skating on the third line with Trent Frederic and Morgan Geekie. The 23-year-old had previously been a fourth-line stalwart – usually playing with Johnny Beecher and Oskar Steen – but Lauko’s new slotting has sparked his offensive production.
“I see someone who is winning more 1-on-1 battles consistently. I see someone supporting pucks and just going. I don’t see any hesitation in his game right now,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Monday.
After opening scoring in Monday’s 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden, Lauko has two goals in three games. Of Lauko’s total six points (two goals, four assists) this season, three of them have come in the past three games.
“It’s a tough league to play [in], tough league to be in the lineup especially for us young guys who are in and out of the lineup,” Lauko said. “I think the most difficult part is to stay consistent, and is the one thing that coaches are looking for. For me, it’s now to keep playing, keep grinding and trying to be consistent.”
Lauko has complemented Geekie and Frederic’s chemistry well – he adds an edge and spunk to a line that’s already composed of two of Boston's more physical players. Geekie is also on a three-game point streak, and Frederic has three points in his last five games.
“Playing with [Geekie] and [Frederic], they’re high-level players,” Lauko said. “I get it to them and they’re pretty good at holding onto pucks, making plays.”
The trio has allowed Montgomery to roll his third and fourth lines later in the third period – which he did in Monday’s win over the Jets – and add a balance to the forward group. The Bruins’ current five-game win streak has been bolstered by its depth scoring, and they’ll look to build on that.
“I’m just happy with where I’m at right now,” Lauko said. “Taking it day by day and trying to get better every day.”
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