Danton Heinen. (Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Bruins are rolling with points in 21 of their last 22 games to move within three points of the top spot in the NHL--and an unlikely contributor has been a big part of their recent success.
Danton Heinen scored the winning goal in the Bruins' 3-2 triumph in Detroit last night - his 12th strike of the year--but his time with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak is done now that Brad Marchand will return from his 5-game suspension Wednesday night in New York.
"I had a lot of fun in that line," Heinen said. "Going back to the other line, I think I'll try to do the same things wherever they put me. We're playing with great players up and down the lineup ... it was definitely fun to play with those guys, and I'm excited to see Marchie back with them."
Boston went 4-and-1 in Marchand's absence. Coach Bruce Cassidy even joked it'd be tough for his leading-scorer to crack the lineup.
Heinen's had a great rookie campaign with 12 goals and 25 assists in 47 games to rank fourth on the team in scoring behind the regular top-line trio. He was a point-per-game player in Marchand's place.
Cassidy said much of the forward's success comes from his hockey I-Q. He's generally in the right spot and plays with good pace. He's a smart, physical player, with the ability to make plays and he's earned his minutes.
Heinen's expected to return to his left wing post alongside Riley Nash and David Backes tonight.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports