If you’re a first line winger for your NHL squad, maybe engaging in a slugfest of heavy fisticuffs in the preseason isn’t the best idea. Apparently nobody told that to Milan Lucic before the Bruins exhibition matchup against the Capitals on Monday, as Lucic and Joel Rechlicz went back and forth with big blows for nearly a minute during the first period at the TD Garden.
Rechlicz has been an AHL enforcer for much of his five-year pro career (only 26 NHL games played) and preseason fights are usually reserved for guys like him, tough guys who need to prove they can provide a spark. Meanwhile, there’s no real reason why an integral two-way forward like Lucic should be laying his health on the line in a meaningless game, but I’m sure it’s tough to convince any NHL tough guy with a reputation and ego that he should back down when challenged.
I’m sure the Bruins aren’t too thrilled to be seeing this image before the season even starts.
