BOSTON — It’s been a season of firsts for the Bruins. First goals, first playoffs, first series win.
After Wednesday night’s 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay, it’s the first time in a playoff hole. For many of the team’s young players, it’s an entire new experience to adjust to.
“Playoffs are desperate hockey,” rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. “You know, you don’t ever go into any games having the luxury of being able to lose this one. That’s not how it goes. We want to win every single game. We need to prepare better and we will and we need to make some tweaks to make sure we’re going to bring it to them.”
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McAvoy is one of the few to be in a similar scenario, making his NHL debut a year ago in the Bruins’ ultimate first-round loss to the Senators. He’s played more hockey this season than any time in his career, even with missing multiple games with a brief stint on injured reserve in February.
After making his debut fresh out of college, in these playoffs, he’s been one of their most relied upon players.
“Charlie has played 77 games total in the National Hockey League,” general manager Don Sweeney said. “Thirteen of them happen to be in the playoffs. I think he’s doing fine. He’s going to continue to grow and learn and be exposed to situations. Teams are now coaching against Charlie. He has to continue to grow from that, learn from it.”
Danton Heinen, meanwhile, is getting his first taste of playoff hockey, and it’s coming under a microscope.
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Heinen was scratched for Game 6 against Toronto in the first round in favor of veteran Tommy Wingels. In Game 7, he was inserted back into the lineup and scored a goal in Boston's comeback to advance to the Eastern Conference semis.
He’s played every game since, but his line has been a topic of concern with its lack of production so far against the Lightning. Now up against the wall, trailing 2-1 in the series, the 22-year-old is focused on just doing what he can.
“You want to score, too, but you always want to first and foremost keep it out of your net,” Heinen said. “If you defend well, maybe you get a few looks. Defend first, but if you can get offense from that, if you’re in there doing your job, it happens.”
Ryan Donato, who played in one game against Toronto, also remains an option. The rookie out of Harvard lit it up in his first game with the B’s, but slowed down since to the point of being a postseason scratch. He'll be in the lineup for Friday's Game 4, deployed as a potential anecdote to the malaise of Game 3.
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"We need a little pop to our lineup," Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Some energy."
Plenty of attention has fallen on Jake DeBrusk, and rightfully so. He’s already tallied six postseason goals with two assists, and practically willed the B’s to their Game 7 defeat of Toronto.
“Last year was a development year for Jake, and I think this year has been a real nice step, and you’re starting to see the player that hopefully he can continue to become night in and night out on the biggest stage,” Sweeney said. “It’s a testament to our scouting staff, the development group and to Jake himself deserves most of the credit.”
When the Bruins regroup to face Tampa Bay for Game 4, it could be a different group of young players in there. DeBrusk and McAvoy have remained consistent while Heinen remains in flux, showing flashes but his line, including Riley Nash, not doing much on the offensive end when needed.
One way or another, it’s the young group of Bruins who will have to respond to two rough outings.