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Boston Bruins player review: Danton Heinen found his game in 2018

By Sam Minton

BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Danton Heinen #43 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the second period of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden on May 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Danton Heinen #43 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the second period of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden on May 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Bruins rookie winger had a fantastic season. In his first full season in Boston Heinen was able to find a home on one of the B’s most productive lines.

Danton Heinen was basically a no-name player for the Boston Bruins as the regular season approached. By the end of the season, Heinen was one of the best scorers on the roster.

Heinen had a good start to the season even though he wasn’t even in the opening day lineup, but ended up being sent down to Providence. Heinen worked on his game and came back with a vengeance. In his first game back with the big club, he scored his first two goals of his career.

The thing that haunted Heinen was that he was a one-dimensional player. He was a finesse player who shied away from contact. When Heinen returned he knew he would have to be physical.

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By the end of the season, Heinen was one of the top scorers on the team and didn’t have to worry about being sent back down to Boston. The game against San Jose where he scored his first career goals was one of his best game of the season.  Heinen also had a phenomenal game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in December where he had a goal and two assists.

Heinen ended the season with 16 goals and 31 assists and was the 5th best scorer on the team. He was getting into corners and fighting for the puck forcing Bruce Cassidy to play him.

A rough end to the season

Sadly Heinen’s season didn’t end like his regular season. He struggled a lot in the postseason and wasn’t able to get anything going.

Bruins fans (especially me) were expecting Heinen to have a solid postseason, but just like the entire third line, Heinen was unable to score and wasn’t helping the Bruins.

You may chalk it up to nerves, but hopefully this is a one time experience.

Heinen will head into the offseason not fearing for his roster spot. He will definitely be in the opening day lineup most likely back on the third line.

If this is just the tip of the iceberg for Heinen, he will be a great bottom line forward who has some great goal scoring ability. Even though he can snipe with the best of them he can also lay the lumber. He’s a guy that is hard not to like.

Next: Making the case for Anton Khudobin

Danton Heinen found his game in 2018 and hopefully he won’t be losing it anytime soon.

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