By: Jack Cinquegrana | Follow Me On Twitter @bruinschewy
Ondrej Kase was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in February, a few weeks prior to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. With that little time to get acquainted with your new team, it is not a surprise to see a lack of production. Chemistry with teammates and line-mates in the sport of hockey does not appear out of thin air or because certain players’ styles fit, it has to be natural. So, it does not startle me to see one assist in six games with the Black and Gold.
When the NHL began Phase three of the Return to Play Plan had started and, all 24 NHL playoff qualifying were permitted to engage in full-team practices, Kase was one of two Bruins that were deemed “Unfit to Play”. Kase would now have to spend more time away from the team and less time building chemistry with his line-mates.
After finally arriving in Toronto, Through seven games, Kase has assisted on four goals, two in Game Four of the Carolina series. The Czech winger has a few opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net.
He has great speed and puck-handling ability, I think he fits exceptionally well in our lineup. Playing on Krejci’s right-wing, with JD on the left, this has a great combination of roles. With David Krejci’s ability to slow the playdown or evade defenders to buy time, this gives Jake and Ondrej time to get to the net or another high-danger area and put pressure on the opposition’s goaltender. The trio has been buzzing with Krejci’s team-high ten points (three goals, seven assists), and Jake’s three goals; the Bruins need Kase to bury one, and I guarantee the whole team goes bonkers.
What excited me most about the Kase trade was that we would finally see two lines full of skill, and David Krejci finally getting a shoot-first right-winger that has tons of speed and great hands. Ondrej Kase has impressed me so far from what I have seen in this year’s playoffs. Here is the result of that Jake DeBrusk tic-tac-toe goal between the three line-mates.
Ondrej Kase has proven himself an NHL player with his skill, can he prove it to the Bruins that he can produce when it matters most? I think so. The second-line’s chemistry is building as you can see them stringing together more passes and supporting one another on both sides of the ice. I am a big fan of the winger’s game and I hope he can stick around. If Ondrej Kase can start to score more frequently and the Bruins can stay as defensively stout as they have been, they will be a tough out in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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