Seguin Put to the Test in Conference Finals

A few weeks ago on this blog, I questioned why Tyler Seguin was not being used in the playoffs. I asked why, given his tremendous offensive skills, he was a healthy scratch. I wanted him in the lineup, but was proven wrong in the form if Michael Ryder's heroics in their first round series against Montreal.

Now it looks like I will be getting my wish, although not under ideal circumstances.

Thanks to Claude Giroux's hit on Patrice Bergeron during Friday night's game 4, Tyler Seguin will get the chance he has been looking for, taking Bergeron's place on the roster for what looks like the remainder of the postseason.

Although Seguin can certainly add some offensive firepower to the Bruins' Power Play, replacing Bergeron will be no easy task. Bergeron has been the Bruins most consistent forward thus far in the playoffs in all three zones, and it may be too much to ask an untested rookie to replicate that type of production.

Claude Julien has shuffled the lines around at practice due to Bergeron's concussion, placing Seguin on the third line alongside Michael Ryder and Rich Peverley. This "checking" line loses some of its physical nature because the shakeup sends Chris Kelly up to the second line, centering Mark Recchi and Brad Marchand.

The overachieving Kelly has played very well in all three zones in the playoffs and is the closest replacement to Bergeron as the Bruins are going to get. Seguin will play wing on the third line, and Peverley will shift to Center to replace Kelly.

While Seguin skated with the fourth line at great lengths during the regular season, Julien does not want to disrupt that chemistry, because the fourth line has been relied upon to provide energy and physicality at times so far this postseason. Given Julien's lack of trust in Seguin defensively, it is unfathomable that he would reinsert Seguin back into the fourth line.

Seguin simply doesn't "fit" into the playoff lineup at this point, but Julien's hands are tied. He is the only forward available that has a season's worth of experience with the Bruins, and has been skating with the team in warmups to get a feel for the playoff atmosphere.

Julien praised his dedication and effort at practice, saying, "The way Tyler practiced today, it was really encouraging. You saw his speed, his skill. And again, watching the playoffs, it really does make you hungry." Although Julien was cearly trying to boost his confidence, he also expects a little more production for Seguin, who will be joining the Bruins' speediest line.

Seguin must impose himself a little more defensively, fighting along the boards and battling for 50/50 pucks, especially against the skilled Tampa Bay forwards. This is his chance to prove he belongs in a Bruins uniform, and he has a prime opportunity to be a key contributor in the Bruins' quest for the Stanley Cup.

Seguin must remember that he is taking Bergeron's spot on the roster, not replacing the player. The pressure of the playoffs is enough to make even the savviest of veterans wilt, nevermind 19 year olds. The true test for Seguin will be just doing his job, while not being a defensive liability. It will be interesting to monitor his minutes and how his addition to the third line will affect their ice time as a whole.

My guess is that we will see a little more of the fourth line, as Julien will try to even out playing time and minimize the risk of putting Seguin out there for stretches of time.

Either way, Seguin has the opportunity of a lifetime in the next few weeks, as he gets a chance to compete for a championship for a fanbase that has been salivating for a Cup since 1972.