The second-year winger has been held scoreless through the Bruins' first three games, while linemates David Krejci (one assist) and Ryan Donato (one power-play goal) have combined for just two points. It's a trend they're hoping to change on Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden.

"I think we just need to generate more," said DeBrusk. "First three games, pretty small sample size. But personally I don't like how it's been going. I think it's just a matter of myself being better and I think all of us need to work as a group out there. We're trying to make, sometimes, not the simple plays, but maybe a little too cute here and there.

"But at the same time, I think that we've got better to bring and we know that. It's obviously been a focus here, and a focus last year into the playoffs was the depth, depth scoring.

"Obviously when the first line does their thing, it's obviously easier to get away with it, but in saying that we'd like to get on the board just as much as everyone else would like us to."

Video: DeBrusk discusses playing the Oilers

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said his message to the line was to simplify by not hesitating to get pucks to the net. He pointed to the work of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak over the last two games as the perfect model.

"I think they're turning down too any opportunities to throw stuff at the net and see what happens," said Cassidy. "Good example is the last two goals that Bergeron's line scored [against Ottawa] - Bergy throws one at the net, but there's net drive and there's Marchy in the high slot and it rattles off [Cody] Ceci and it goes in. The next goal it's Pasta driving the net, gets there, it's a tap-in; March again has inside position in the slot. It's about getting back to basics. It's about generating shots to create anxiety."

Those basics, however, may have to come with a new look.

During Wednesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena, Joakim Nordstrom took turns rotating with Donato as Krejci's right wing. And following the session, Cassidy indicated that it's likely he inserts Nordstrom back into the lineup after one game as a healthy scratch.

"Until we get ourselves firmly where we believe it's lines one through four, we're going to probably move people around and keep it competitive," said Cassidy. "Pretty good chance Nordy will go in [Thursday]. If he has to play on that line that's fine, he's been in skill positions in the past. He'll have a good responsible player there.

"It may be Ryan that comes out. Part of that is just understanding the details of the game every night. We've done that with every young player last year, so that would be no different.

"If that's what we decide to do for a game or two…it's as much about keeping those guys competitive and letting other guys know it's not automatic every night."

Video: Cassidy talks lineup change and top line

Hands Off

One line Cassidy won't be tinkering with is his top trio of Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak. They have combined for 18 points through three games and are widely considered the best all-around line in the NHL.

Having said that, Cassidy acknowledged that at some point down the line he may have to switch them up to achieve better balance through the lineup.

"No. Hands off. Right where they are right now in my pockets. They're not getting changed up," Cassidy quipped. "They're a line that generates every night. We're not gonna mess with that until…well I don't know when, but at some point later on I imagine. We've always talked about Pasta and Krech, does that make us better balanced? We're not there yet.

"If we start getting to where we feel we're where we need to be then we'll probably look at that. If the team's winning hockey games, then we'll let it ride out a little longer. If we're not, then obviously we have to address that. That's the end of it, you have to win your share of games."

Video: Bergy talks his lines chemistry, family

Opposing View

The Oilers have spent the last few days in Boston, arriving in town from Sweden, where they opened up the season against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday - a 5-2 loss in the NHL Global Series. Former Bruins star Milan Lucic notched a goal and an assist in the loss, while Connor McDavid picked up two assists.

According to Oilers.com, McDavid centered Ryan Nugent Hopkins and Ty Rattie during Wednesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena. Cassidy said he expects that Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy will be handed the task of trying to shut down Edmonton's top trio, with perhaps the Bruins' fourth line offering its assistance.

"He's obviously an elite player, he's gonna get his looks because he's an elite player," Cassidy said of McDavid. "What we tried to do a little bit last year was even try Kuraly, who's a good skater, to match up against him, give him a job that night - not gonna call it shadowing.

"But Sean's 6-2 and he's 208 [pounds], so he's got the frame to do it, he's got the foot speed. We may look at that at time to try to match his speed and force the puck out of his hands. Sean enjoys that part of the game.

"The back end, Zee's the guy that would probably match up against him and John Moore's a good skater with a good stick. We've got two guys that can hopefully limit it. I don't think players like that ever get shut down. It's rare if it does. It's what we're looking at for [Thursday night]."

Right at Home

DeBrusk has a couple of "homecomings" under his belt already, having played against his hometown Oilers twice last season - once at TD Garden and once in Edmonton - so he expects that he'll be a bit less anxious the third time around.

"I think that all the friends back home, everyone's watching," said DeBrusk, whose father Lou is in town as part of the Oilers' television broadcast. "Last year I remember being nervous for it and a little too into it. Now going through some of those experiences, especially playing in Edmonton, will help me [Thursday] night and hopefully get us a win."

Wednesday's Practice Lineup

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak

Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Ryan Donato/Joakim Nordstrom

Danton Heinen - David Backes - Anders Bjork

Chris Wagner - Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari

Lee Stempniak

Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy

Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller

John Moore - Brandon Carlo

Steven Kampfer

Tuukka Rask

Jaroslav Halak