They’ve rarely had a fully healthy lineup during their 2018-19 regular season. But the battle-tested Bruins keep marching on no matter who’s in and who isn’t.
Yet the Boston Bruins resembled their AHL affiliate in Providence during their recent three-game trip and returned home on Friday with a three-game regulation losing streak for the first time since early December. They didn’t return fully healthy either as both Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) and Torey Krug (concussion) suffered their respective injuries in Pittsburgh and Columbus.
Bruce Cassidy’s bunch took a couple of steps back, but the third-year Bruins bench boss shared some positive news to share following Saturday’s morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena.
Jake DeBrusk makes his likely return to the lineup after missing the last five games with a lower-body injury. The Edmonton native and 2015 first round pick has a goal in eight of his last 10 games and sits fourth on the team in goals scored with 22. He’ll reunite with David Krejci on the second line with Charlie Coyle flanking him at the off-wing.
https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1106952011147149312?s=20
The Bruins hit the road again after Saturday’s tilt with the Blue Jackets and they’ll have another offensive threat aboard during their next four-game trip. David Pastrnak (broken thumb) will join the team in Long Island when they begin their second to last road trip of the season. The talented Czech playmaker still sits atop the team lead in goals (31) despite missing over one month of action.
DeBrusk’s return and Pastrnak’s impending arrival will no doubt help the Bruins’ top-six. They’ll have more depth up front when Marcus Johansson (lung contusion) returns. The trade deadline acquisition will resume skating activities in Boston this week along with Grzelcyk during the team’s road trip.
Cassidy doesn’t have his ideal lineup yet, but he’s one step closer toward that with DeBrusk’s probable return.
Projected lineup vs. Columbus
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Danton Heinen
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-Charlie Coyle
Paul Carey-Sean Kuraly-Chris Wagner
Joakim Nordstrom-Noel Acciari-David Backes
Zdeno Chara-Charlie McAvoy
John Moore-Brandon Carlo
Steven Kampfer-Connor Clifton
Jaroslav Halak
Tuukka Rask
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