Bruce Cassidy has praise for one of his depth defensemen

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Dorin Canaday
May 10, 2022 (3:45 PM)

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As the Boston Bruins prepared for game four of their best-of-seven series against the Carolina Hurricanes, they got the shocking news that they would be without their top defenseman in Charlie McAvoy. (COVID protocol) Already without his partner Hampus Lindholm (upper-body), the Bs were able to edge the Hurricanes 4-2 to tie the series up two games apiece, making it a best-of-three.

The Bruins knew they needed some of their other defensemen to step up, and in game four, it was the pairing of Connor Clifton and Derek Forbort who had a very solid game. Especially 27-year-old Clifton, who head coach Bruce Cassidy had some high praise for during his media coverage this morning:

"Cliffy's always been a guy who responded in the playoffs. We used him in that run [2019 playoffs] quite a bit when guys got hurt ... on the right-side, he went in and played with [Matt Grzelcyk]. We were a little concerned. It was a smaller pair, but Cliffy plays bigger than his size. He adds physicality, he's good at he counter hits, and he's good at finishing checks when he needs to. For him, it's always about managing his puck play and when he gets out there full tilt."

Clifton is one of those bottom six defensemen that may go unnoticed during the regular season, but when it's playoffs and the spotlights on everyone, he seems to shine. He excels at the things that need to get done to win playoff games, such as being physical, blocking shots and being stingy shorthanded.

Cassidy also discussed the value of getting an early lead and that the Bruins have started games well at PNC Arena in Raleigh but haven't quite got the bounces yet.

Watch Coach Cassidy's full media coverage here:

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