BOSTON — Fabian Lysell can fly. The right wing instantly became the Boston Bruins’ fastest skater when he made his NHL debut on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Ludicrous speed alone does not warrant NHL duty. When he’s going, Lysell stitches his pace together with a whippy shot and offensive creativity. These elements convinced the Boston Bruins to take him 21st overall in 2021.
Three years later, the bosses believed Lysell had put enough of his game together to earn his first NHL action.
“Obviously it’s an exciting night for him and his family,” interim coach Joe Sacco said following Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Blue Jackets. “He was on the ice for the first goal, which is always a good feeling. He did some good things. He was very responsible. He was trying to be very responsible away from the puck. You could see he was making a conscious effort to be good without the puck. Those are the things he needs to continue to build into his game. I thought he handled himself fine here tonight for his first game.”
It was an unexpected promotion. As of Saturday morning, Lysell was expecting to be in Providence’s lineup against the Hartford Wolf Pack that night.
A call changed his plans. The Bruins entered the night averaging 2.66 goals per game. Only six other teams were averaging less.
“Crazy,” Lysell said of his day. “Crazy how fast things can happen. I woke up this morning, didn’t think of this. Then you get a call and you’re up here. It’s just unbelievable. Definitely special for me and my family for sure.”
Lysell’s debut hardly qualified as a five-star show. He did not attempt a single shot. He played 11:32. Late in the third period, Cole Koepke replaced Lysell on the No. 3 line next to Justin Brazeau and Trent Frederic.
But the team’s priority was not to hold Lysell’s hand on Saturday. It was to recover from a 6-2 thumping in Columbus the night before.
Job done. The Bruins held the Blue Jackets to 18 shots. Jeremy Swayman posted his second shutout.
“We made a strong focus tonight on trying to keep the puck out of our net when we had breakdowns or if we had turnovers,” said Sacco. “I thought for the most part, our guys were really committed to that area tonight. Even toward the end of the game, we had a few guys blocking shots. I thought it was a professional game for us. A professional win for us here tonight after last night’s game.”
It just so happened that mother Maria, father Henrik and sister Frida were visiting Lysell for the holidays. They were originally scheduled to return to Sweden on Sunday. Their travel might change if Lysell extends his NHL stay. The Bruins play next in Washington on Tuesday.
The length of Lysell’s varsity residence will depend on how the rest of his game aligns with his feet. But his speed already gives him an edge over Oliver Wahlstrom, whose spot Lysell occupied on the No. 3 line next to Brazeau and Frederic.
Wahlstrom was a healthy scratch for the first time as a Bruin. It may not be the last.
The ex-New York Islander, claimed on waivers on Dec. 14, has yet to score in four games. Wahlstrom has three shots in 38:01 of five-on-five time, per Natural Stat Trick. Wahlstrom’s shot, which is his best asset, has been virtually eliminated by his inability to get open.
Wahlstrom’s lack of pace was compounded by his third-line placement with Brazeau, who is not fleet of foot either. Then you’ve had Frederic, a wing all year, doing little in the middle between Brazeau and Wahlstrom.
In 20:22 of the five-on-five time Brazeau, Frederic and Wahlstrom shared, the Bruins were outshot by a 9-2 margin. Their expected goals-for share was a meager 7.06 percent. None of them had a five-on-five goal during their three games together.
“There wasn’t really a person who could carry the play through the neutral zone between the blue lines,” Sacco said before the game. “Maybe that’s something that Fabian can add here tonight with his speed and his ability to transport the puck through the blue lines. That’s an opportunity there. There just wasn’t a lot happening with the three of those together. So obviously you have to make some changes and have to make some adjustments.”
Lysell’s entry helped the third line score Saturday’s first goal. Brazeau, planted in front of the net, was in the right place to find a Brandon Carlo rebound and beat Daniil Tarasov in the first period.
THE BRUINS STRIKE FIRST 🚨
Brazeau gives the @NHLBruins the early lead! pic.twitter.com/IhztGS0jsA
— NESN (@NESN) December 29, 2024
Otherwise, the No. 3 line did little offensively. Like Lysell, Frederic didn’t attempt a shot either. The unrestricted free agent-to-be has gone nine straight games without a point. The last time Frederic was noticeable was on Dec. 10 when he one-punched Winnipeg’s David Gustafsson to the ice. Not only is Frederic’s trade value shrinking, he is doing little to push the offensive pace.
Things can change, however, once Lysell acclimates to the NHL. Reps will help. How many Lysell gets is up to him.
(Photo: Erica Denhoff / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
