Bruins rookie thrives after challenge from coach | Matt Vautour

BOSTON – After Sunday’s forgettable performance, it was natural to be a little worried about Fabian Lysell.

The right winger came into Bruins training camp with a real chance to earn a spot on the roster and maybe even the vacant spot on a lineup with Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. But with everything on the line, he was largely invisible against the Rangers, failing to get even a shot on goal.

This was the same guy who also failed to make an impact in training camp last year. He faded into the background while Matt Poitras, who is younger and lesser known, had a breakout preseason and earned a spot on the NHL roster. As the year went on, Lysell was overtaken among Bruins talent by Poitras, Justin Brazeau and maybe even Georgii Merkulov, all of whom made their NHL debuts last year while Lysell remained in Providence.

Coming into training camp, Jim Montgomery said Lysell had a chance to put himself in a position to earn a spot on the roster. But at Tuesday morning practice, he struck a different tone. Montgomery didn't trash the kid, but he sent a pretty clear message:

If Lysell wants to source his Italian food from the North End instead of Federal Hill this year, he'll have to try harder.

“He's going to have to do a little bit more than he has done before if he wants to make it to the Bruins,” Montgomery said.

Lysell agreed.

“That’s what I expected after the first game,” he said.

As one of the most promising young players on a team short on talent, it's easy to forget that Lysell is still developing at 21. After speaking with Providence coach Ryan Mougenel on Monday, he took a step forward.

“He told me, 'Trust your game and go back to basics,'” Lysell said.

He played confidently from the start and was rewarded for it. Early in the second period, when Boston had a power play that Lysell helped set up by drawing a penalty on Hardy Haman Aktell, Michael Callahan passed to him at the top of the left face-off circle. He realized how much time he had, waited until Tyler Johnson slipped in front of Capitals goalie Hunter Shepard, and then shot through traffic and past the screened goalie into the top corner.

“A little better than last game. It's nice to get one in, but that's just the beginning,” he said. “I felt a lot better out there. Better timing. I made better decisions with the puck. Overall, a better game.”

But it wasn't just the gate. Lysell was active. It was impossible not to notice him, two days after he was so hard to find.

“We're really pleased with his development from Game 1 to Game 2,” Montgomery said. “How determined he was with the puck. How determined he was trying to get shots on goal, playing offensively and skating back defensively. … I said he needs to improve, and he's improved. Well done.”

A good warm-up game makes up for the problems of the last match – a birdie after a bogey brings him back to par. Now Lysell has to prove that he can play consistently and build on his performance from Tuesday. This game simply brought him more opportunities.

He was determined to take advantage of this opportunity.

“You have to perform if you want to play,” he said.

Follow MassLive sports columnist Matt Vautour on Twitter at @MattVautour424.