Joe Sacco believes centerman’s game on upswing
No one has been thrilled by Elias Lindholm’s inaugural season with the Bruins, least of all the player himself.
Lindholm was the B’s biggest purchase in the offseason, with the club inking the two-way centerman to a seven-year deal worth $7.75 million annually. With such riches comes responsibility, and Lindholm has a long way to go to make that deal worth it.
But the last few games while skating on a line with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle, they’ve been tasked with shutting down the opposition’s top line. It’s been a battle, but there’s also been a glimmer of what Lindholm has been in his career and what the B’s hope he can be in the future.
“As a player, sometimes when you have a purpose and you know what your role is that particular night, given some assignments, it does help you focus and dial in on what your priorities are for that game,” said coach Joe Sacco. “He’s definitely trending in the right direction, which is a good sign. Part of it could be the matchups that we’re utilizing him in and his two wingers against. Again, it gives him a sense of purpose in that role. Usually when you’re in that position as a player, you want to embrace it. We’ll see. Things change on a game-to-game basis but I do think it has helped.”
When Lindholm was signed to the big deal, the thought was that he would be the pivot who would be feeding David Pastrnak throughout the superstar’s prime. Lindholm had shown that he can play with talent. Three years ago when he was flanked by Matthew Tkachuk and the late Johnny Gaudreau in Calgary, he had a career-high 42-40-82 totals in 82 games.
But for whatever reason, Lindholm and Pastrnak did not click. After giving it a good, long look, then-coach Jim Montgomery finally switched it up, putting Lindholm with Brad Marchand, playing in a more defensive role. Lindholm still had his struggles and, for a brief time, he was dropped to the third line. But after Matt Poitras had some defensive issues in the B’s loss in Buffalo, Lindholm was back between Marchand and Coyle, playing against Winnipeg’s and the Rangers’ top lines.
“It’s a fun task,” said Lindholm. “I’m used to it, especially when you’re at home and you have the last change and he’s instituted matchups. I’ve done it for a long time. It’s obviously a fun thing to do, shutting them down and hopefully scoring one and being on the plus-side. It’s definitely a tough ask, but I love it.”
While he’s always been known as solid two-way centerman, he’s being employed in the defensive role even more this year. Throughout his career, 54% of his starts have been in the offensive zone but that number is down to 48.7% this season.
He’s riding a three-game point streak, tied for his longest as a Bruin (he’s done it three times before). He’s got 1-3-4 totals in the last three, though all those points have come on specials teams. Scoring at 5-on-5 can be a challenge in his role.
“It’s definitely harder,” said Lindholm. “These days, the top line usually start in the O-zone and the other team has an advantage to start in the O-zone. At that time, it’s more of trying to control it and move the puck up the ice and get in the O-zone. It’s definitely an advantage for an opponent. You look at Pasta’s (line), they obviously start in the O-zone a lot and that helps create offense.”
But even in his role, the overall point total (9-19-28 in 54 games) is not where he wants it to be. He’s optimistic, though.
“I think for some time I’d like to be more consistent and produce for a longer term rather than go three games with points and four games pointless. I’d rather be more consistent. But for some time I’ve been feeling better. I think it’s a matter of time before I click for real and it’s all going to be coming,” he said. “There’s games where I’ve felt like it’s been there, where the game has been where I want it to be. But there’s also been a lot of games where it hasn’t been nearly as good. But overall, I think lately, it’s coming. It’s just a matter of time before I get over the hump there and we’ll get there.”
Lindholm still has time to salvage his season – and a long way to go to prevent the contract from being an albatross. The B’s are in the hunt for one of the last two Eastern Conference playoffs and an upswing from Lindholm could go a long way in helping in that endeavor. But it hasn’t been an easy year and he’s felt the pressure the big contract brings.
“Even in my last contract, when you’re not producing at the level you’re used to, the level you set for yourself and the level people expect, it’s frustrating. It can weigh on you,” said Lindholm. “It’s two misses this year. Obviously our team has been struggling, so then I take a lot of responsibility and put a lot of blame on myself. I think if the team was fine, it would have been a different case. Obviously there’s a lot of responsibility for me to help this team and I haven’t done a good job. Hopefully we can put some good three games together (against Minnesota, the Rangers and Vegas), get to the break and go for the last push here.” …
Health matters
Sacco said that the Bruins’ other Lindholm, Hampus, will most likely not come back until after the Four Nations break.
While the extra time shouldn’t hurt, coming back when most other NHL players have had two weeks off could help ease him back in.
“That might help, too. And I think we have four days of practice before we play that first game against Anaheim on that Saturday. We have four days off ice. For us it will be like a mini-camp going on and that gives all our guys time to get back but, yeah, that could be an advantage,” said Sacco. …
Mike Callahan lost three teeth and took some stitches after catching a puck in his mouth but he was back at practice on Monday wearing a full shield and modified chin mask. Sacco said he should be available for Tuesday’s game against the Wild. The same goes for Mark Kastelic (concussion), who has been out since Jan. 20.
