Bruins get Geek Squad in order

Rink Rap caught Bruins coach Jim Montgomery’s pregame availability in anticipation of today’s 1 pm matinee vs. Detroit, and he announced that Morgan Geekie will return to the lineup.

James van Riemsdyk and Oskar Steen get the day off, but at least JV-AHH will return tomorrow at this time in New York for Saturday’s 1 pm-er vs. the Rangers at MSG IV.

So, after particularly rough-and-tumble games of late highlighted by Wednesday’s response victory over the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, the lingering question here has been the inevitable one that creeps up every season since the Boychuk Bruins aged out, and that is: Is this roster rugged enough to win in the playoffs?

I asked Monty if having Geekie for a stretch of games will better allow management an honest opportunity to evaluate this group of players. Monty indicated agreement with the premise.

As an addendum, I would add that, given Edmonton’s struggles in net and overall, one must wonder what’s been offered in a deal for one of Boston’s stellar goaltenders.

From a philosophical standpoint, I was in full agreement with this team’s stand-pat strategy in the back end of the rink, as keeping the defense core and goaltending intact is necessarily foundational to any success this team would have in its centennial season.

That said, this blazing start – and I fully realize goaltending is once again the driver for the Bruins’ amazing record – give pause to that theory, as I wonder what is on the table.

A generational centerman to elevate Boston from a first line, two thirds and a fourth into a team with genuine impact-now talent on the top two lines is a very difficult find, but there remains an opportunity to accomplish something that could become every bit as significant and impactful come playoff time, and that is get a more rugged presence into the top six.

Evander Kane comes to mind, but if you don’t like the player it is by far not the limit of the conversation. If the Bruins stay the course, then the trade deadline will present many more opportunities and, at the same time, will have allowed Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman to play the bulk of the season in support of one another, setting up whoever stays at far less risk of burnout.

Bruins vs. Red Wings at 1 pm.