In a 1-on-1 interview with The Hockey News, Matt Grzelcyk evaluated his game, how he's feeling and team goals for the second half of the season.

Matt Grzelcyk wants to be more assertive.

Since returning from an upper-body injury Saturday, and rejoining a Boston Bruins team that’s now on a four-game win streak, Grzelcyk’s impact has been more apparent in his last two contests than it has arguably been all season.

“I feel really good. It was kind of tough coming back the first time from an injury, but at the same time I think it gave me a little perspective on what to expect coming back this time,” Grzelcyk told The Hockey News Wednesday.

The 29-year-old defenseman missed the last three games before the holiday break after getting injured on Dec. 19 against the Minnesota Wild. Grzelcyk had previously been placed on long-term injured reserve Nov. 1 with an upper-body injury, and returned Nov. 25 against the New York Rangers.

In his first game back this time around, Saturday’s 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, Grzelcyk skated on the third pair with Kevin Shattenkirk, picked up an assist and logged four shots on goal. Grzelcyk sat out of Sunday’s back-to-back against the Detroit Red Wings due to soreness, but reentered the lineup Tuesday in Columbus, remained with Shattenkirk and dished out another apple to his D partner.

“I think we both play similar ways. We want to be cleaning up breakouts – I think last night we did a really good job at that,” Grzelcyk said. “Now we’re not forced to play defense as much in our own end, and I think that’s where we thrive is being good in transition.”

Shattenkirk has exploded for three goals in the last three games and is looking a lot more comfortable in the Bruins’ system than he did earlier this year. For Grzelcyk, Shattenkirk has been a role model before he signed in Boston in July.

“We missed each other by a couple years, but he’s someone who I always looked up to, not only at BU, but through the NHL as well,” Grzelcyk said. “Pretty cool to share the ice with someone who played his 900th game this year, a lot of experience.”

Grzelcyk was a Terrier from 2012-16, while Shattenkirk was on Commonwealth Avenue from 2007-10 – and helped bring back the national title in 2009. Both defensemen served as captains of the Boston University team.

Grzelcyk’s uptick in production and buttoned-up responsibility on the backend seems to be a product of the entire Bruins team playing less passively. Since the holiday hiatus, Boston has put forth a more in-your-face brand of hockey, and it’s worked – especially when closing out games in the third period.

“I think in general, we’ve been playing a more aggressive style. Forwards are doing a great job of getting in on the forecheck and we’re kind of hemming teams in and trying to play more of that heavy game,” Grzelcyk said.

“Seem a little more focused, a little more engaged emotionally, I’d say. Makes it a little easier to jump back into the lineup.”

Prior to Saturday, Grzelcyk had just one point (one goal) through 20 games. The January, February stretch of the NHL season will be a time for him – and the Bruins – to hunker down and finetune what brings both individual and team success.

“Continue to just play with confidence and be more assertive,” Grzelcyk said. “I think at times with myself, I can kind of defer to other people, and I think I’m kind of at best when I’m being the initiator with things.”