Recent attack has been centered on two lines
WILMINGTON -- Yesterday, when asked whether any teams boasted more than one checking line or multiple shutdown defense pairings, coach Dave Lewis could only come up with one: Anaheim.
The Ducks can match opposing scoring lines with defensemen Chris Pronger or Scott Niedermayer, who are usually not paired together.
"Most teams have two good offensive lines, a checking line, and at least one or two defensemen that can shut you down," Lewis said.
That reality is good news for Lewis, who has seen his top two centers explode offensively over the last month, presenting opposing coaches with a dilemma: Which line do I try to shut down?
It's a question that has been difficult to answer. In eight games this month, Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron have combined for eight goals and 18 assists, giving the Bruins a potent 1-2 centerman punch.
"Scoring balance is really important," Lewis said. "If one line is checked, you hope the other line can contribute offensively. Throughout the lineup, you'd like to see that. Right now, those two are both having very productive times."
Both Savard and Bergeron entered the 2006-07 season on new deals. Savard, along with Zdeno Chara, was a significant offseason acquisition, signing a four-year, $20 million contract. Before the start of training camp, general manager Peter Chiarelli locked up Bergeron to a five-year, $23.75 million deal, buying into one season of the 21-year-old's unrestricted free agency.
Lately, both have provided the offense demanded of their paychecks. Bergeron has at least 1 point in the past six games (including a career-high five assists in Tuesday's 7-2 thumping of the Ottawa Senators).
Savard is primarily a setup man, but with teams anticipating his pass-first approach, the center has taken his fair share of shots (92, third on the team behind Glen Murray and Bergeron), scoring two goals against Ottawa.
"That's why they got him," said Marco Sturm of Savard. "He's so good at [playing offense]. He's got so much passion. He's such a great passer, especially on the [power play]. Especially last year, we always needed a second guy to play with Patrice. We got him and he's been tremendous this year."
So when he went 30 games without scoring a goal this season, Mara and his coaches started to wonder what was happening.
Mara answered some of those questions Tuesday when he scored his first goal as a Bruin.
"I think so, a little bit," said Mara, when asked if he was feeling the pressure of not scoring. "You always do until you get the first one. Hopefully, I can get on a roll from here."
On Tuesday, Mara again showed his willingness to defend a teammate when Ottawa enforcer Brian McGrattan ran Wayne Primeau with a high blow. On Nov. 25 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mara fought with Darcy Tucker after the forward jostled with Savard and Chara.
"I knew who he was," Mara said of McGrattan, who set the American Hockey League's record for penalty minutes in a season (551) in 2004-05 with Binghamton . "I don't think I would have fared extremely well vs. McGrattan. I just wanted to step in and just jump on him."
Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at FShinzawa@globe.com. 
