MacDermid, skating on a sandpaper line with Chris Kelly and Shawn Thornton, gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 7:01 of the second period. Thornton handled the puck on the right side and spotted MacDermid approaching the top of the left circle.
With a rebound in mind, Thornton flung the puck on goal. As Thornton expected, Senators goalie Craig Anderson kicked out his shot, and the rebound bounced MacDermid’s way. The left wing buried the puck.
MacDermid, 22, the son of former Whaler Paul MacDermid, was the Bruins’ fourth-round pick in 2009. Last season, as a second-year pro, MacDermid had 7 goals and 12 assists in 78 games with Providence.
He also has shown that he can throw down with the big boys. Over his first two AHL seasons, MacDermid recorded 313 penalty minutes. During the 2010 preseason, he battled former NHL brawler Andrew Peters and held his own against the towering tough guy.
“I’m trying my best to fit in,’’ MacDermid said. “I’m trying to show that I can play at this level and play with these guys.’’
MacDermid is most likely headed for Providence again. He projects to be a fourth-line NHLer, which doesn’t improve his chances to make the current Black-and-Gold roster. The Stanley Cup Final served as absolute proof of how vital a strong fourth line can be, and the Bruins have one of the best in the league in Thornton, Daniel Paille, and Gregory Campbell.
But given the nature of the position, fourth-liners are at risk of injury. MacDermid could see fill-in duty if one of the wingers goes down.
“I think he’s fairly aware of the type of player he is,’’ Thornton said. “He plays to those strengths. He works hard. He takes the body when it’s there. He’s smart defensively from what I can tell. He’s done a good job.’’
Board games The postgame puzzlement of Andrew Ference and Benoit Pouliot Wednesday showed how players will need some time to sort out the NHL’s revised boarding rule. This season, a player will be called for boarding if he pushes a defenseless opponent into the boards and causes a violent or dangerous impact.
At 17:30 of the second period, Ference shoved Nick Foligno from behind into the glass and was called for boarding.
