Johnson back in

After sitting out Thursday’s win over Utah – and three of the last four games overall (he missed two games for personal reasons) – Tyler Johnson will be back in Boston’s lineup on Saturday night, playing at right wing alongside Trent Frederic and Charlie Coyle.

“I think he’s a versatile player for us,” Sacco said. “He can play on your third line, not so much on the fourth line maybe, but if we need him there he can, but he can also push into the top six at times. I think we’re trying to see where we can use him the most and where he can help the team. A lot of that will be dictated by his play and where we see him fitting in.”

Johnson, who is without a point in just five games so far this season, acknowledged it has been difficult to find a rhythm since signing a one-year deal with the Bruins earlier this month.

“I’m just trying to get into the swing of things here,” said Johnson, who was in camp on a professional tryout deal. “It will be fun to play. Playing with Freddy and Coyle, good players… the last game (I played) when I came up against them we did pretty well. Let’s see if we can continue that.

“I know I can be a lot better. It’s been a stop and go thing for quite some time now. The boys have caught the momentum of everything and I’m just not quite there yet. I’m trying to do what I can, trying to get the puck touches and the skill back; it takes some time.

“But I thought the last match I played was a lot easier and a lot better, I’m just going to try to build on that. I know there is much more.”

The two-time Stanley Cup champion said the key to success for his line with Frederic and Coyle will be playing a simple game.

“Coyle and Freddy are tough on pucks,” Johnson said. “If we can get things above and around the net, behind the net, they are very good at protecting. I think that will be our main goal. We just have to get in the offensive zone, use our forecheck, use our system and just trust each other.