While the Boston Bruins are amidst a 3-6-1 slide, head coach Claude Julien decided to juggle his lines a little bit promoting forward Jimmy Hayes to the first line to play alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

Hayes hasn’t been all that consistent this season, but as of late he is playing some of his better hockey in a Bruins sweater resulting in Julien’s decision.

“Well, production,” Julien told the media after his team’s practice yesterday in Philadelphia. “He seems to be stronger on the puck and in position to shoot it more. He’s doing the things that we want him to do and we need some production here so a guy like that gets rewarded sometimes and gets put on that line to see if it could be a fit.”

Speaking of that production, Hayes entered Wednesday night having scored two goals in his last three games and five goals in his last six games. This is certainly due to the fact of Hayes moving his feet and using his big body. Just ask Julien.

“That’s one of the reasons why we got him,” Julien said. “What we saw from him in the past that he was good in tight around the net, tipping pucks, shooting pucks and that big body was a big reason for bringing him in. So, as long as he is giving us that he will be a good player for us.”

Hayes is ready to jump at the opportunity as his confidence continues to build and it should only increase playing alongside Bergeron and Marchand.

“Ah, yeah it’s a great opportunity,” Hayes said after his team’s morning skate on Wednesday. “I just need to continue to make strides, but as a team we need to find a way to get some wins here.”

The Dorchester native knows Marchand and Bergeron have played a lot of minutes together over the years, but understands he just needs to continue to play the way he is playing.

“I need to bring what I can to that line,” Hayes said. “Those two guys have some great chemistry so I just have to find some ways to work with them.”

Hayes can see a difference in his game over the last five contests and wants to continue this trend moving forward.

“I’m just trying to play a big man’s game,” Hayes said. “I’m continuing to go to the hard areas around the net and continue to go hard and keep my feet moving.”

Unfortunately for Hayes and the hometown team, the adjustment did not work on Wednesday night as the Flyers beat the B’s, 3-2. Hayes finished the night with zero points, one shot on net and 14:33 of total ice time.