Bruins should give Lysell more time in NHL after successful debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Fabian Lysell finally made his NHL debut this past Saturday when the 21-year-old wing was called up from Providence to play in the Bruins’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.
Lysell played 11:32, including 1:02 of power-play ice time, as the Bruins earned a 4-0 shutout win. The 2021 first-round pick mostly played on the third line alongside Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau.
This line scored a goal early in the first period. Lysell didn’t pick up a point on the goal, but he did contribute in the buildup by maintaining possession of the puck with a Blue Jackets player on his back. Lysell skated behind the net, fed a pass to Brazeau, and eventually the puck wound up inside the crease, where Brazeau pounced on it to get Boston on the scoreboard.
Lysell didn’t tally a shot on net, but he played with speed and didn’t make careless decisions with the puck on his stick, which was an encouraging sign for the Bruins. He didn’t look out of place against NHL competition.
It was an experience Lysell will never forget, especially when his call up was a surprise.
“Crazy how fast things can happen,” Lysell told reporters after his debut. “I woke up this morning, didn’t think of this. Then you get a call and you’re up here. It’s just unbelievable. Definitely special for me and my family for sure, and everyone who’s helped me along the way.”
Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco was pleased with what he saw from Lysell.
“I thought he handled himself well. It’s obviously an exciting night for him and his family,” Sacco told reporters after Saturday’s win. “He was on the ice for the first goal, which is always a good feeling. He did some good things. He was very responsible. He was trying to be very responsible away from the puck.
“You could see he was making a conscious effort to be good without the puck. Those are the things he needs to continue to build into his game. I thought he handled himself fine here tonight for his first game.”
So, what does the future hold for Lysell? Well, he was already sent back to the AHL on Sunday, so it’s unknown when his next NHL opportunity will come.
Here’s the message Sacco had for the young forward after his debut.
“The message was basically that he didn’t hurt his chances, obviously, for another opportunity at some point,” Sacco told reporters Monday. “Played a good game, did some good things out…