NEW YORK — On Wednesday night, Frank Vatrano played in his first NHL game since Jan. 19. That he spent the last two months in the AHL did not show at all.
At 12:06 of the third, Vatrano took a cross-crease pass from Loui Eriksson and fired a sizzler past Henrik Lundqvist to make it a 4-2 game. It was Vatrano’s seventh goal of the season, complementing the 33 times he’s scored in Providence in 33 AHL games.
“It’s a little bit different when you play with new guys,’’ said Vatrano. “But I thought I fit well with every line I was playing with. I just wanted to keep it simple and create some energy for the team. Unfortunately the bounces didn’t go our way tonight. The good thing is we have another game tomorrow.’’
Vatrano, recalled from Providence on Tuesday, may be up top for good. He is good at scoring, which the Bruins need in a big way when some of his more experienced teammates are struggling to find the back of the net.
Vatrano started the night on the fourth line with Landon Ferraro and Noel Acciari. By the game’s conclusion, he had played on three of the four lines, climbing as high as the No. 2 group with Eriksson and David Krejci. In 10:02 of ice time, Vatrano landed three shots on net, including his third-period goal. He played both left and right wing.
“I know what I need to do in order to keep a job and contribute to the team,’’ Vatrano said. “Sometimes it’s not all about scoring goals. It’s being reliable in all areas of the game and show that I can play in those areas.’’
Because of Vatrano’s entry, Brett Connolly and Tyler Randell were the healthy scratches. Connolly’s stay in the press box, however, may end against the Panthers. Jimmy Hayes would be Connolly’s likely replacement in suit and tie.
Hayes started on the third line and finished it on the fourth after taking two penalties in the offensive zone. In 13:45 of play, Hayes had three shots and is scoreless since Feb. 24.
Carlo heads to AHL
Brandon Carlo, one of the Bruins’ three second-round picks in 2015, will make his professional debut for Providence this weekend. Carlo’s junior year came to a close March 19 when his Tri-City team closed out the regular season against Spokane. The Americans did not qualify for the playoffs.
Carlo will turn 20 Nov. 26, meaning he is eligible to return to junior in 2016-17.
It’s likely, however, that Carlo will be a full-time rookie in Providence next season unless he makes the big club out of training camp.
The 6-foot-5-inch, 201-pound Carlo projects to be a stay-at-home right-side defenseman as a pro. He had 4 goals and 23 assists in 52 games for Tri-City in 2015-16.
Carlo, a native of Colorado Springs, played for Team USA in the 2016 World Junior Championship. He had two goals and two assists in seven games while partnering with USA captain Zach Werenski on the No. 1 tandem.
Eye-opener
Matt Beleskey participated in Wednesday’s morning skate without a visor. On March 18, Beleskey took a stick to the right eye against the Ducks. He wore a shield for the final two periods and all of the 2-1 loss to the Kings the following night. Beleskey fought Tanner Glass in the first period . . . David Pastrnak had zero shots in 14:35 of play. He finished the game on the third line . . . Playoff tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. on April 1. They will be available at the TD Garden box office, on bostonbruins.com, on the Bruins’ mobile app, and via Ticketmaster . . . Sean Kuraly, acquired in the Martin Jones trade with San Jose, is scheduled to visit Boston shortly for a medical exam. Kuraly ended his college career at Miami University with six goals and 17 assists in 36 games as team captain. The Bruins have until August to sign Kuraly . . . The Bruins will honor Julien before Thursday’s game against Florida for becoming the organization’s all-time leader in wins as a coach. Julien passed Art Ross on March 7 . . . Jeremy Smith, who had been recalled on an emergency basis, was reassigned to Providence.
