With the Bruins once again a Stanley Cup contender, Claude Julien hasn't needed to tinker with his lineup very much. That hasn't left much playing time for defenseman Steven Kampfer, who is patiently waiting for another chance to prove he can keep a spot in the lineup.

Kampfer has registered one assist in seven games this season and hasn’t played since Dec. 14. But rather than sulk or ask to go to Providence for more playing time, the second-year blueliner is working hard in practice and doing his best to stay sharp and positive.

“Just been working really hard in practice and trying to treat practices like games,” Kampfer said. “But it is tough sitting out. You just have to deal with it. The team is playing really well so they can’t really change anything up. I’ve talked to Claude and the coaching staff and it is something where I know I need to be better in the defensive zone and with battling for the puck. I have those areas to focus on and I just need to stay sharp and be ready. We've got six guys that are playing well right now and that’s the way it is so I have to be patient and be ready.”

Kampfer was assigned to Providence once, on Dec. 1, and was recalled to play in games on Dec. 13 and 14. But since then he has found himself in the press box as a regular healthy scratch. Still, the 2004 fourth-round pick (by Anaheim) would prefer to remain with the big club and improve his game in practice.

“I’d rather stay up here and be with the boys here,” Kampfer replied when asked if playing in Providence would be a better alternative. "I think our practices are very much like games in terms of intensity and I’m better off getting that experience with the team here than going back and forth. I learn a lot from being around these guys and this coaching staff. Everyone has been really great at still making me feel part of the team and that’s helped a lot.”

If Kampfer needs inspiration that there is light at the end of the tunnel, he doesn't need to look any further than teammates and fellow rearguards Adam McQuaid and Johnny Boychuk, who both bided their time as healthy scratches before making the best of their chances and becoming regulars in the lineup.

“I’ve talked to Johnny a lot and even Adam about how to approach things and remain positive and that helps too,” Kampfer said. “It’s definitely good when you have guys like them that have gone through what I’m going through and made it. They can give me insight and they do.”

He also appears to still be in the good graces of Julien, who may be staying with the current lineup, but definitely appreciates and respects what Kampfer is going through.

“He’s done the best he can,” Julien said of Kampfer. “Players are going to be a little rusty and they do get tired of just skating and not playing. They won’t tell you that, but they do and you understand that as a coach. But it’s a challenge that they have to overcome and right now our team has been pretty healthy so it’s unfortunate for him, but we’re going to ask him to be ready when the time comes.

"He’s got a good attitude and like I said, he’s doing the right things, saying the right things, but I know deep down as a former player that it does get tough and he’s handling it well.”