Sunrise FL- Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has something to prove this season after missing 32 games last season due to an injury plagued season.
“It was just an upsetting season last year going through the injuries and not playing the way I wanted to play,” said Lucic. “I wasn’t happy with how things went.”
Lucic has come into the season on a tear scoring 16 goals and adding 11 assists for 27 points in 34 contests so far. Lucic also says that he has been strong on the puck, winnings battles, and taking advantage of his opportunities.
“With my new salary kicking in everyone was looking for me to be a more impact type player, I feel that I have done that,” said Lucic.
Lucic is now in the first year of a three year deal that has a cap hit of just over four million per season.
The turning point for Lucic may have actually been in last years playoffs. Lucic had a strong series against the Philadelphia Flyers scoring seven points. In a game seven loss to the Flyers, Lucic scored two goals and also cranked a shot off of the post late in the third period.
“I built a lot of confidence in the second round versus Philadelphia scoring five goals in that series,” said Lucic
Before the Bruins beat Atlanta on December 23rd they had lost four of five. When the team is struggling everyone needs to step up.
“I think everyone here should take it upon themselves when they or the team is in a funk to do something,” said Lucic. “You gotta do whatever you can to get the momentum back on your side whether its a hit, fight, taking it to the net to get a scoring chance, or burying a goal.”
Lucic and the Bruins play the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7:30 tonight in Tampa Bay as they look to jump over the Montreal Canadiens in the NorthEast Division standings.
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