When Ryan Spooner controls the puck, like he does on the right wall on the No. 1 power-play unit, good things can happen. On a late-game man-advantage against Florida on Saturday, Spooner assisted on Brad Marchand’s career-best 39th goal, which gave the Bruins a 4-2 lead.
The trouble is that in even-strength situations, Spooner hasn’t had the puck enough to go on the attack with wingmen Matt Beleskey and Jimmy Hayes. The result: a fourth-line workload for the player the Bruins expect to be centering the No. 3 unit.
“The message I sent to them is, ‘When you have opportunities to play with the puck, be harder on it, protect it longer so you’re not always forced to defend,’ ’’ Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said.
“I think it’s tougher to defend every shift every night. They just need to have a little more A, confidence, and B, a little more willingness themselves to be harder on it, whether that means protecting it, absorb some hits, take a slash, skate to open ice. Whatever the case may be, have it more. That will allow them to play to their strengths.’’
Spooner missed three games in March because of a concussion. Since his return, he has no goals and five assists in nine games. Four of his five helpers have been on the power play.
On Saturday, Spooner played 9:51 of his 14:51 during even strength. It was the fourth straight game Spooner logged less five-on-five action than Riley Nash, who has become the No. 3 center between Dominic Moore and Noel Acciari.
Spooner made a good five-on-five play early in the first period. He took a puck off the end boards and dished a backhanded pass out front for Hayes, but the right wing couldn’t handle Spooner’s dish.
Spooner has gone through similar late-season dips before. Last year, the Bruins went 3-8-1 in their last 12 games to tumble out of the playoffs. During that stretch, Spooner scored just one goal and three assists. Had Spooner provided any kind of chance-producing push behind Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, the Bruins might have qualified for the playoffs.
“Maybe that did push him back,’’ Cassidy said of the concussion. “At this time of the year, everyone’s going forward. Even if you stay the same, you’re going to fall behind. Playing a little catch-up, but it wasn’t that long.
“He’s been in the league long enough. He’s been through these stretch runs. We expect him to be able to do what he needs to do. We’re not asking to lead the team by any means. There’s two centers that we know are slotted ahead of him. Do his job, do it well, and we’ll keep reminding him to do that.
“I’m not down on Ryan at all. I’d like to see him produce more, his line. We’ve wanted that all year. But if they can play a good, solid game where they’re creating chances at least and playing a 200-foot game, then that’s OK, too.’’
Hayes goes down
Hayes played only two first-period shifts before exiting with a lower-body injury. He is considered day-to-day and questionable for Sunday’s game in Chicago.
The Bruins have not been carrying an extra forward. They recalled Sean Kuraly from Providence on an emergency basis. He will be available for Sunday’s game.
Farewell skate
Shawn Thornton played in what is likely his last game at TD Garden. Thornton is unrestricted at year’s end and facing retirement.
Panthers coach Tom Rowe placed the 39-year-old Thornton in the starting lineup alongside Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau. The ex-Bruin also took a solo spin postgame when he was named third star. Thornton gave the crowd a stick salute.
“That’s the closest I’ve been to getting choked up in a bit,’’ said Thornton. “It’s emotional, but I had a good run. No regrets, no complaints. I’m very happy with my career.’’
Thornton had one shot in 8:05 of ice time. He has two goals, two assists, and 67 penalty minutes in 48 games this season. He has 42 goals, 60 assists, and 1,103 penalty minutes in 703 career games.
Vatrano remains out
Frank Vatrano missed his second straight game because of an upper-body injury. The left wing will not play on Sunday, either . . . Acciari scored his second goal in the last three games. He had gone his first 42 games without a goal. “Definitely felt good,’’ Acciari said. “Made sure the first one wasn’t a fluke.’’ Acciari also drew the attention of Alex Petrovic after he finished Keith Yandle along the boards. Petrovic was called for roughing. “They’re just being good teammates for their guys,’’ Acciari said of players who seek retribution for his tooth-shaking hits. “I respect that. I’ll answer whenever I need to.’’ . . . Zdeno Chara wiped out Jaromir Jagr along the wall in the third period. The force of the collision sent both graybeards (combined age of 85) to the ice along with their walkers.
Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com.
