By Gayle Troiani | Follow me on Twitter @LadyBruinsFan
This is the season of revenge for some of the Bruins’ players. First, there’s David Krejci, who instantly proves his worth by centering the second line with fellow countrymen David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. In 23 games, Krejci has eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points while averaging 17 minutes of ice time. Second, it’s the resurgence of “Uncle” Nick Foligno, whose play has made fans do a one-eighty from wanting to pack his bags and ship him out of Boston to rooting for him game after game. The veteran winger has already eclipsed his 13-point total from the 64 games he played in the 2021-22 season with 14 points in 26 games. As the leader of the fourth line, Foligno has earned minutes on the second power-play unit, where he has potted two of his five goals.
The other player that seems to be silencing his critics is five-year defenseman, Connor Clifton. The 27-year-old was relied upon during the time Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzleyck rehabbed from off-season surgery and has solidified himself as one of the top blue liners for the black and gold. Clifton has recorded eight points in 26 games, just two points shy of his career-high 10 points, which he notched in the 2021-22 campaign.
Clifton may not be the offensive defenseman Ray Bourque was, but the physicality of Clifton brings is why Bruins fans believe Clifton is having himself a season. Whether Clifton is paired with Derek Forbort or Hampus Lindholm, fans are not bracing themselves for the inevitable turnover. There is a more calm feeling when he is on the ice as opposed to the fear of what lousy decision Clifton will make during his shift. Clifton has blocked 30 shots, landed 71 hits, and forced seven turnovers. Granted, the number of giveaways is a bit high at 21, but since the Bruins hold a 21-4-1 record and a plus-46 goal differential, it’s easy to overlook some of the errors.
We all know Clifton can hit and take the body. We all know that Clifton can block shots, but what’s different this year is his hockey sense and maturity. Something Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery has recognized and the reason he’s given him a new name.
“Kenny Rogers, that’s my new nickname for him,” Montgomery said after the November 16 practice. “He knows when to hold ’em. He knows when to fold ’em. Not all the time; he doesn’t want to fold very often.
“I’ve always liked him as a player because he’s a hockey player because he goes out and he tries to make things happen. […] That’s why with him, I think us trying to play an aggressive style of hockey, defensively and offensively, leans towards his personality.”
With all the upsides to his play this year, ‘Cliffy Hockey’ is finally seen as a positive moniker and term of endearment, unlike in seasons past. Clifton is thriving under Montgomery’s system, and it appears to be only a matter of time before he surpasses his career highs in not only points but blocks (62) and hits (156).
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