Wing has been flying

WILMINGTON -- From the start of training camp, the Bruins have been a work in progress. They haven't yet had all the pieces in place because of injuries, there's been a rocky adjustment to the new rules, and there were early contract tussles with two crucial performers.

One Bruin, though, has overcome physical ailments and is really coming into his own. Left wing Sergei Samsonov got a late start on his offseason conditioning program because of migraines. Once he overcame them, he hurt his back trying to round back into shape. But the worst certainly seems to be behind him.

In the past seven games, he has nine points, with six goals.

''It's getting better, I think everybody's game is getting better," said Samsonov, although the Bruins dropped a tough 5-4 decision to the Devils Saturday after a shootout.

''We're skating a lot better. The first couple of games, it was tough to figure out what was going on with the penalties that were going to be called, and right now we're getting on track and it seems like things are starting to get worked out."

Samsonov said it took him some time to get back into the swing of things because of all the time he missed.

''It probably took seven or eight games," he said. ''I really pretty much missed the whole training camp, and that hurt a lot, too. For the most part, I've been just trying to get into shape playing games. We really didn't have many practices, either, and that's been the toughest part. We've been playing so many games and not enough practices where you can try certain things. Most of the things you have to do during the games."

Samsonov is dedicated to staying in shape year-round. So having to start practically from scratch was frustrating.

''It was definitely hard," he said. ''I really didn't know what to expect and I talked to the doctors and we just figured we'd take it day by day and just try to really get ready for the first game of the regular season and go from there. It worked out well, it was a good game plan, and I'm happy it worked out."

After being bothered early by the back issue, he said it's no longer a problem.

''It's been fine, but we're still keeping an eye on it," he said. ''Once you get some injuries, you really have to look after it and do a few exercises here and there [for maintenance]."

Most important, he also hasn't had any recurrence of the debilitating headaches that sidelined him for months.

''It's been good so far," he said. ''I'm still in touch with the doctors who were treating me during the summer and we're on track. It's been just like what [they] said it's going to be like and I'm happy where it is right now. It's definitely a relief. It was a tough summer. Back in July, I wasn't even sure if I was going to be playing at the start of the season or what was going to happen. You're waking up every morning hoping it was going to get better and it was a really slow process. I'm just excited to be playing right now. Missing training camp was obviously a big deal for me. I'm just lucky to be playing again."

Samsonov said the new rules play to his strengths.

''It's definitely easier to play offense now," he said. ''You get a step on a guy and they're almost hesitant to take a penalty. They almost let you skate. I saw a couple of times, guys in the neutral zone would pick up the puck and go and there are two guys basically trying to chase a guy now instead of hooking or grabbing.

''I guess it goes both ways. You can't grab on, you have to skate. You really have to be in a good position, you can't get caught standing still in the neutral zone. You really have to have some movement going on. Otherwise, guys are going to blow right by you. It's an adjustment for everybody, especially for the defensemen. There are a lot of things you can't do that you used to be able to do. It becomes a positional game."

Samsonov said with so many players in and out of the lineup, he's still learning about his teammates, particularly since he hasn't played with any one line on a consistent basis.

''We've all played with a bunch of guys," he said. ''We've been playing with different line combinations and I think we have a pretty good idea what guys are capable of and what they're trying to do on the ice. We have a brand-new team here and it's going to take some time to get used to everybody. We're only [12 games] in and it's just starting to turn around. I think we're just going to get better and better."

When general manager Mike O'Connell signed center Alexei Zhamnov during the offseason, it was with the idea that he and Samsonov would be a good fit. So far, they've not been able to play together because Zhamnov has been hurt, but he could start practicing tomorrow.

Samsonov, who has played on international teams with Zhamnov but never on the same line, said he can't wait to work with him.

''He's been waiting for a long time," said Samsonov. ''I think with him coming back, it's going to make our team even stronger. He's a great player and he's going to make any team better. [Him] coming back, it's going to be huge for us."