He returns to blue line and chips in with a goal

By Fluto Shinzawa

Globe Staff / March 20, 2009

It was only natural, since last night was the first time he'd dressed since March 7, that Matt Hunwick was amped up for his first shift. So, naturally, he was called for a penalty.


and almost had too much energy to start the game," said Hunwick, nabbed for hooking at 1:44 of the first period. "I think as the game went on, I found a little bit more comfort out there."

Hunwick settled down and popped in his sixth goal, one of the few bright spots of the Bruins' 3-2 overtime flameout to the Kings. The play started when partner Dennis Wideman held the blue line and chipped the puck to Milan Lucic. Before being sandwiched by two Kings, Lucic won the puck battle and gave it to David Krejci, who spotted Michael Ryder below the goal line.

When Hunwick read that Lucic was covering up high, the defenseman floated into the slot, found an opening, took a pass from Ryder, and canned a top-shelf shot over goalie Jonathan Quick at 14:41.

"I knew that we had a forward covering," Hunwick said. "He was in the high slot or maybe even a little farther back. So I knew that I could come down. Originally, I think I was going to go back door. Then I saw there was some space in the slot area. I went there and almost lingered for a second and Rydes was able to find me."

Hunwick, thrown into the lineup after being a healthy scratch the last five games, dressed as a forward in his last three appearances. He was on the ice for both Boston goals. Hunwick finished the game with 14:34 of ice time, recording one shot and one blocked shot. It was the first time Hunwick played defense since Feb. 26.

"We don't want it to carry over to the next game," Hunwick said of the loss. "But at the same time, I think that sour taste should be in our mouth when we get to practice. We have to continue to get better as far as our work ethic at practice. I think we've done that the past couple days. If we continue to do that, I think we'll be fine once the playoffs come around."