Grind of the playoffs doesn't suit Kessel's style

In 82 regular-season games, Phil Kessel potted 19 goals and dished out 18 assists, making him fifth on the Bruins in scoring.

But a more telling statistic is 11, which is the number of hits he was credited with. That translates into one every 7.5 games, which just isn't going to get it done in the playoffs.

Kessel assisted on Boston's only goal in the 4-1 loss in Game 1 of this series, but coach Claude Julien, believing a heavier prescription of grit was required against the skilled Canadiens, scratched Kessel for Game 2, replacing him with the feisty Vladimir Sobotka.

Kessel was scratched again for Game 3, and remained out of the lineup last night.

"It's really not about Phil Kessel not being able," said Julien. "I think Phil Kessel is a good player and will be a good player. He's a 20-year-old player right now that's gotten much better than he was as a 19-year-old.

"Right now, it's about putting a team on the ice that can compete against the kind of competition we've got. We needed more grit. I really don't think it's going to hurt his development, because he's made some huge strides this year."

Kessel, owner of the fastest wheels and sharpest release on the team, projected to be a fixture in the Bruins' offensively challenged lineup. But his game - speed and perimeter play - is the antithesis of playoff hockey, when willingness to work in the dirty areas is a requirement.

By taking Kessel out of the mix, Julien has created a trickle-down effect that has boosted Boston's game. Petteri Nokelainen, who centered the fourth line in Game 1, was promoted to the third line for the next two matches, taking Kessel's spot on the right wing. Nokelainen assisted on Boston's first goal in Game 2 and was on the ice for Marc Savard's game-winner Sunday. He skated 19 shifts for 15:51 of ice time in last night's 1-0 loss.

"He's been really good," said Julien. "He's strong along the boards and all the areas we needed to get better in."

Sobotka, a healthy scratch in Game 1, has centered Jeremy Reich and Shawn Thornton on the fourth line. Sobotka saw only 7:22 of ice time last night, but he tied for the team lead with three shots.

"His play at the end certainly helped him get back in the lineup," Julien said. "Especially after the first game, when we felt we needed to make some adjustment to our lineup to be closer to our identity. He's stepped in and done a great job."

For now, Kessel will wait, perhaps following the trajectory set by Buffalo forward Thomas Vanek, also an ex-Minnesota Golden Gopher. Two years ago, Vanek had 25 regular-season goals, then was scratched for part of the playoffs. In 2006-07, Vanek responded with a 43-goal effort.

Considering last night's shutout and the team's total offensive output (five goals in four games), Kessel might be under consideration for Game 5 duty tomorrow.

"He's got the right attitude, the right approach, which means we've got to help him along," said Julien. "That doesn't mean you won't see him again either."

Ward goes down

Late in the third period, Aaron Ward was injured after a collision with forward Tomas Plekanec. "He took that knee from Plekanec with about two minutes left, he got injured," said Julien. "He is hurt. He's going to be a question mark." Ward would be a significant loss if he is unavailable for Game 5. He had 22:54 of ice time last night, third-most behind Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman. Ward had three shots and blocked three Montreal attempts.

A visible difference

Nokelainen, a visor veteran because of his play in Finland and in the AHL (where the equipment is required), has always worn a shield in the NHL.

Until this round.

Nokelainen considered shedding the visor for the regular-season finale against Buffalo after practicing without one for the first time. But he kept it on and still was cut next to his right eye after a Sabre's glove hit him in the face.

Before Game 1 last Thursday, Nokelainen sat in the dressing room prior to warmups, pondered the choice, and decided to go sans visor for the first time.

"I really liked the way you can see without it," Nokelainen said.

It's a matter of comfort for Nokelainen, who's looked at home in his first playoff experience. Nokelainen has been heavy on the puck, bullish along the boards, responsible defensively, and has shown no fear in driving to the net.

"What he's doing well right now is that he's just going out and playing," Julien said. "Before, he seemed nervous. He seemed like he was overthinking. Just didn't have the jump he has right now."

Nokelainen said he likes this time of year, noting that it's his style of hockey. But in Game 3, Nokelainen was bloodied when defenseman Roman Hamrlik ran him into the boards.

"If I keep getting cuts like that, I might have to put it back on," Nokelainen said with a smile.

Must he answer?

Despite being up, 2-1, prior to last night's match, Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau was asked whether Game 4 was a must-win. "Is it a must-win? Every game is a must-win," said Carbonneau. "They won the last game. They feel they have the momentum. I'm happy for them. They've won one game out of the last 14 games. So I think we feel pretty confident also. We know we haven't played our best game. If we raise our level, then I think we'll be OK." . . . Julien agreed with the NHL's decision to ban players from face-guarding goalies the way the Rangers' Sean Avery tried to against New Jersey's Martin Brodeur. Julien referenced veterans Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton, saying such players would never dream of doing something like that.

Switch it up

Carbonneau made the first changes to his lineup last night, scratching forward Michael Ryder. Mark Streit moved up to forward, while defenseman Ryan O'Byrne appeared in the series for the first time. O'Byrne, paired with Josh Gorges, skated nine shifts for 9:30 of ice time in his NHL playoff debut, landing one hit . . . The Boston College hockey team, which won the NCAA championship last Saturday over Notre Dame, was introduced at 12:59 of the first period during a TV timeout. The players, wearing their home whites, walked onto the rink from the Zamboni entrance to applause from the crowd.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com