Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish (37) shoots under defense by Boston Bruins’ David Krejci (46) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (19) loses his balance as he skates past Boston Bruins’ Derek Forbort (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Max Comtois (44) moves the puck under pressure by Boston Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy (73) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ Connor Clifton (75) and Anaheim Ducks’ Simon Benoit (13) vie for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks’ Simon Benoit (13) tries to score against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ Tomas Nosek (92) pressures Anaheim Ducks’ Sam Carrick (39) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks’ Jakob Silfverberg (33) watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks players celebrate a goal by Trevor Zegras during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ Brandon Carlo (25) checks Anaheim Ducks’ Troy Terry (19) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) sends the puck into the net past Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) to score a hat-trick goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) celebrates his hat-trick goal with teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) celebrates his hat-trick goal with teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (36) makes a save against Boston Bruins’ Taylor Hall (71) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ Charlie Coyle (13) moves the puck under pressure by Anaheim Ducks’ Jayson Megna (7) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm (27) moves the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) looks to pass the puck as Anaheim Ducks’ Cam Fowler (4) falls to the ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak (88) celebrates his hat-trick goal with teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins goaltenders Jeremy Swayman (1) and Linus Ullmark celebrate the team’s 7-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm (27) and Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrate the team’s 7-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins goaltenders Jeremy Swayman (1) and Linus Ullmark celebrate the team’s 7-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Boston Bruins players celebrate a goal by Brad Marchand during the third period of an NHL hockey game Anaheim Ducks Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ANAHEIM — Adam Henrique is having one of those useful, under-the-radar seasons that teammates and coaches fully appreciate even if it falls slightly outside the spotlight.
Heading into Sunday’s action, Henrique led the Ducks in plus/minus at minus-two. The next closest forward (with more than 16 games played) happens to be Isac Lundestrom’s minus-six, and Lundestrom (broken finger) has been out since Dec. 1.
Henrique, a fixture on PP1 and the No. 1 line, is fourth in scoring with the Ducks – 21 points in 39 games – and is tied for the team lead in goals scored (12) with Troy Terry.
Henrique’s usefulness, however, came up in the context of the penalty kill. Ducks coach Dallas Eakins listed some of the reasons why the PK has been noticeably more effective on this homestand.
“I think we’ve been more aggressive,” Eakins said before Sunday’s game against Boston. “Early, we weren’t using Adam Henrique. I was worried about the amount of ice time, the amount of strain on guy’s bodies. There are certain guys in the league that can play 5 on 5, play power play, play penalty kill, and we’re trying to spread it around a little bit.
“But I think our aggressiveness (and) our goaltending has been excellent lately. You don’t put your whole penalty kill on your goaltending obviously. But it’s amazing – the teams that are excellent on the penalty kill – their goalies’ numbers on the penalty kill are excellent.”
The quick description of a versatile player – Swiss Army Knife – certainly fits Henrique’s skill set.
Rookie Mason McTavish rewarding Ducks for their trust
“We can play him on the power play and the bumper position,” Eakins said. “He can play him in front of the net. He’s good on faceoffs. He plays left wing. He can play center. Those guys are great to have on your team.”
Also
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was back in the lineup after missing one game (Friday against the San Jose Sharks) because of illness.
“It was like a 24-hour thing,” Eakins said. “He came in yesterday and practiced. Looked a little bit lighter but today he’s already got more color back in his face.”
