Earlier in his career both in Minnesota and here, Charlie Coyle bounced back and forth between center and wing. It is the price of being versatile. But for the past few years, Coyle has played mostly center, either as the third line pivot or, in the case of last year, as the second line center.

With the B’s challenges on offense, it looks like that’s changing.

Interim Bruins’ coach Joe Sacco experimented with Coyle as the second line right wing with Brad Marchand and Elias Lindholm in Calgary and it spurred the B’s comeback win against the Flames. In the B’s first game back from the semi-successful five-game road trip against Buffalo at the Garden, Coyle was set to bump up again.

Coyle, who has had a down year offensively (7-2-9 in 34 games after a career-high 60-point campaign last year), was relishing the opportunity.

“When you’re relied upon like that, playing in a top line role, you’ve got to produce, you’ve got to play well. It’s a big responsibility. I love that,” said Coyle after the B’s morning skate at the Garden on Saturday. “Those guys are really good players. You just try to make the most of it. Whatever changes are in-game, wherever you’re playing, up and down the lineup, it’ doesn’t matter. When lines are switching, we’re trying to spark something and get something going. I love that responsibility.”

While he’s got plenty of history playing the wing, it is an adjustment to shift back. But it could lead to some more offensive production.

“You’ve got to turn your brain on, right? What’s a winger, what are your responsibilities, D-zone especially, where you have to be, what you’re taking away but still helping out,” said Coyle. “Yes, center you’re down low a lot of the time, you’re kind of everywhere and you’re exerting a lot of energy down low. At wing, sometimes there are switches and you have to do that job but for the most part you’re playing good defensively and maybe have that extra gear in the offensive zone and wearing guys down and playing down there more.”

Coyle also has to be ready to shoot, something that he’s had to be urged to do at points in his career.

“Absolutely, especially playing wing and me being able to play a little more,” said Coyle. “Those guys are pretty good playmakers, too. They can both score, (Marchand) can do it all and (Lindholm) is a heck of a player. He’s a pass-first type of guy, so I’ve got to be ready. Those guys can find you.”

The move isn’t expected to be permanent but rather more situational and depending on the opponent, said Sacco. But he liked what he saw in the Calgary game.

“And I think it just gives us a chance to see how three of our top players can play together again when we see Charlie there. It gives him an opportunity to maybe generate more offense with those guys,” said Sacco.

The shift put Trent Frederic as the third line center between newcomer Oliver Wahlstrom and Justin Brazeau.

“Freddy’s very capable of going into that position and playing center there,” said Sacco. “It gives us more top two lines, offense up front and the third and fourth line a little more of checking roles.”…

Wahlstrom knows the Garden very well, but that didn’t make it any easier for the winger to make it through various road blocks of getting into the building for the morning skate prior to his Garden debut as a Bruin.

“I actually had some trouble getting through security. I went through the parking garage area and I didn’t get in for a little bit. I kind of had some ideas of what doors to go through,” said the Maine native, a tad sheepishly.

“But it’s pretty special, just walking to the rink, where I grew up and where I watched so many Bruins games. It’s cool.”

Cool, and a little expensive for him, with all the friends and family hoping to see his first home game as a Bruin.

“Yeah, this might be a free night on me. It’s a Christmas gift. I haven’t done much Christmas shopping yet,” he said with a smile.

Sacco was hoping those folks would get to see more of Wahlstrom than in his first game as a Bruin in Edmonton when he played less than nine minutes, thanks in part to some situational play. But Sacco said he played well in his time on ice.

Wahlstrom made his presence felt early on with a big hit and, while that may not be what he’s known for, it should help him find his space.

“He was excited to play last game, it was his first game, first time in a Bruins’ uniform. I hope that that becomes some of his game,” said Sacco. “Any time a player gets involved finishing checks, being hard on pucks, second effort, typically you get your self more involved in the game that way, too.”

Said Wahlstrom: “When I engage my body like that, I think things open up and plays open up. I think (he’ll) just stick to that and keep things simple, getting used to the system and I’ll go from there.”…

After backing up Jeremy Swayman for the previous three games, Joonas Korpisalo got the net against the Buffalo Sabres, who were looking to snap a 12-game losing streak…

Marc McLaughlin was the healthy scratch for the Sabres while Cole Koepke got back in the lineup.