Boychuk On Toucher & Rich: 'Won't Be Difficult' To Play With New Defensive Partner
BOSTON (CBS) – Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk was one of four players to light the lamp in Wednesday's 4-1 Game 1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the TD Garden.
With Andrew Ference suspended for Saturday night's Game 2, Boychuk will find himself paired with a new defenseman -- likely Matt Bartkowski. But the Bruins prepare for situations like this, and Boychuk doesn't think it will be an issue at all.
Read: Ference Suspended For game 2 For Hit On Grabovzki
"We've been going throughout the year playing with a different partner in different games and different situations. It won't be that difficult to do because we've been playing together all year and we have good chemistry," Boychuck told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Friday. "Whoever they decide to put in, we all have great chemistry together. It's not just one person, as a team we've played together throughout the year and played well together."
The Bruins blueliners played a big part in Boston's offense on Wednesday, with veteran defenseman Wade Redden contributing with a goal and an assist. Redden came over at the trade deadline and didn't see much ice when he first arrived, but has played some quality minutes over the last few weeks and now gives Boston another savvy veteran for the postseason.
"He's a veteran guy and it's good to have a guy like that back there. When you watch him move the puck he sees the ice very well. It does play into effect that he's been in these situations before," Boychuk said of Redden. "It was really good to see (him score on Wednesday); him coming here and not playing for the first little while, then in the playoffs he scores the goal. I thought he got two and was going to go for his third but Nathan got a nice tip."
Listen: Redden Joins Gresh & Zo
While the Bruins dominated the Leafs for nearly the entire game on Wednesday, they have quickly moved and their focus is now on Saturday.
"We put it behind us," said Boychuk. "They're a good team; they're physical and they can score. They're not the team they were before in previous years. You have to respect them because it is a seven game series and you can't think we won a series because we won a game. We have to do it again, and again, and again. There is a reason they made the playoffs."
