WILMINGTON - Through eight playoff games, Blake Wheeler had that most damning of statistical lines: 0-0 -0.
So in a move that seemed a formality, Wheeler was a healthy scratch for Game 5. Shawn Thornton, a healthy scratch in the previous game, returned to the Bruins lineup and rode on the fourth line with P.J. Axelsson and Stephane Yelle. Byron Bitz, a healthy scratch for the first three games, skated in Wheeler's spot next to David Krejci and Michael Ryder.
The Bruins scored a 4-0 win, all but guaranteeing another night out of uniform for Wheeler tonight. Yesterday, Wheeler was one of only four Bruins (Manny Fernandez, Matt Hunwick, and Marco Sturm were the others) to hit the ice at Ristuccia Arena. All other players participated in off-ice workouts.
"In Blake's case, this is a guy who's had a tremendous year for us," said coach Claude Julien. "Blake has been a pleasant surprise for our hockey club. What's happened is that Blake, being a first-year player, has hit a bit of a wall in the second half.
"Sometimes you have to be patient with those guys. We're at the stage where we have to do the right thing for our team. For Blake's sake, just sitting back and watching, he's still going to learn. It's not a punishment. It's more about doing the right thing for the team."
Wheeler, who was a healthy scratch only once in regular season, scored 20 points in the second half. During the playoffs, he has struggled to produce offense. The Bruins are hoping that Wheeler, like Phil Kessel last year with some time off against the Canadiens, will adapt to playoff intensity with some time in the press box.
"Blake is a smart individual," Julien said. "He can figure things out. He was and has been a great player for us. He will continue to be a great player for us. He's just growing into his role like Phil last year did for us.
"This was just doing the right thing for the team and what we needed [Sunday] night. I'm sure that if we can keep this ball rolling, you're going to see him again in our lineup."
"They did a great job," Julien said. "A lot of the ice time for P.J. Axelsson and Stephane Yelle came on the penalty kill. It was just a matter, without Blake in the lineup, that some of the other guys had to step up and spend some more time on the PK.
"Having said that, our team's been fairly disciplined over the course of the series. You were hoping you wouldn't have to kill too many penalties. Those five forwards were good. We interchanged them and made sure we had fresh guys out there all the time."
Axelsson, who usually kills penalties with Bergeron, led all players with 5:25 of shorthanded ice time. Axelsson averaged 2:30 of PK time per game during the regular season. Axelsson said he felt the difference after the game.
"All of us try and play the same way," Axelsson said. "We should know each other anyways."
Axelsson said he and his PK crew were more aggressive against the Hurricanes in Game 5. Carolina features some big shots from the point in Joe Corvo and Anton Babchuk. Eric Staal usually sets up on the right-side half-boards and likes to take the puck to the net.
"We try and be aggressive all the time," Axelsson said. "Sometimes it doesn't work as good."
