In a perpetual state of seriousness, the Bruins Wednesday night enter the even more serious territory of the playoffs. Is there anyone among the troops who can lighten the mood in the dressing room?
“I need to spend more time in there, I guess, to see which guys are the [personalities],’’ said coach Bruce Cassidy, who took over as coach Feb. 7 and successfully focused the club on reaching the postseason. “I know [David Pastrnak] always lightens up the room. He’s always got a smile on his face. He’s always wearing something interesting, so he’d definitely be that guy.’’
As salaries have increased over the years, pro sports has increasingly become big and serious business, and players with abundant personalities have grown fewer. Players are increasingly more professional, serious about sustaining and extending their careers, far more reserved in what they say to the media.
The Bruins are no exception. The Czech-born Pastrnak, who turns 21 next month, is among the more outgoing players in the room. As Cassidy noted, his choice in clothing, though hardly outrageous, is trendy and colorful.
Cassidy acknowledged there is a virtue in having players in the room who can offer some comic relief.
“Oh, I believe in it, for sure,’’ he said. “When the puck drops, you need to be focused, right? And [Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and Zdeno Chara], they’re serious. Pasta is a little looser. So is Marchy. Kevan Miller looks serious, and Adam [McQuaid] . . . he can smile.’’
The assembled media inside Warrior Ice Arena Tuesday broke into light laughter when Cassidy noted that Miller, among the more stoic members of the room, was capable of smiling.
“You know, Riley Nash might loosen up some guys, and [Tim Schaller],’’ said Cassidy. “So there’s a mix. I would say we are more on the serious side than the lighthearted side, for sure. Am I missing anyone? I think Matt Beleskey loosens up the room to a certain extent.’’
Years ago, one media wag noted to Cassidy, dressing rooms typically contained a loose cannon or two. The likes of Wayne Cashman and Mike “Shakey’’ Walton were a couple in the Big Bad Bruins era. Lyndon Byers was inclined to say just about anything. And let us not forget coach Don Cherry, who ultimately turned his off-the-cuff comments into a highly lucrative broadcast career.
“It seems they’ve legislated those players out of the game,’’ said a smiling Cassidy. “For better or for worse. But, yes, you did have more personalities. I don’t know, sometimes I think in this day and age, with the different forms of media, sometimes a player can look bad when he’s just trying to loosen things up. It’s true, there were more personalities, I believe. And I think we have our fair share, but I am not sure we have anyone who’d compare with the ’70s — maybe we will see in this run.’’
All Rask all the time
The Bruins goaltending plans for the post-season: Tuukka Rask, followed by more Rask, and more Rask.
But it was encouraging for the troops Tuesday to see backup Anton Khudobin back on skates. The affable tender was last seen on Saturday, exiting a loss to Washington after 40 minutes, overcome by flu-like symptoms.
It was the first time in his career, said Khudobin, that he had to pull out of a game for any reason other than injury.
“It was everything,’’ said Khudobin, detailing his symptoms. “It was just crazy.’’
Khudobin underwent medical tests on Monday and said doctors gave him a clean bill of health.
“I hate to be sitting at home or being injured,’’ said Khudobin, looking forward to the start of the playoffs. “That’s just the worst feeling. I’m really glad to be back on the ice, espeically this time of the year.’’
Rask, Khudobin, and Zane McIntyre, summoned from AHL Providence on Monday, shared the netminding work during the practice.
Change partners
John-Michael Liles, who paired Monday with rookie Charlie McAvoy, paired with McQuaid during the workout, with McAvoy bumped up to the top pairing with Chara. The other pairing had Colin Miller withKevan Miller. . . Rookie Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson centered a third line, flanked by Frank Vatrano and Beleskey . . . With Dominic Moore sidelined, Nash centered Schaller and Sean Kuraly . . . Noel Acciari (upper-body injury) won’t play in Game 1, but he skated on his own prior to practice and appeared to be nearing a return.
Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com.
