Looks like the Bruins are once again going to be facing some depth issues in the coming days.
It has just been confirmed that Adam McQuaid has re-aggravated a previous lower body (groin) injury and Torey Krug has a "minor body ailment". Both players are day to day with these injuries.
It has just been confirmed that Adam McQuaid has re-aggravated a previous lower body (groin) injury and Torey Krug has a "minor body ailment". Both players are day to day with these injuries.
However, with the Habs game not until Thursday, it is possible for Krug to be back at 100% and in the line up for a game that is sure to be quite the tilt. He may even be back as soon as tomorrow morning's practice. If not, Matt Bartkowski will be his back up.
This could get a little worrisome when we play the Habs because it is not easy to fill the hole left byan all around great defenseman like Krug. Krug has been scoring, making plays, getting physical and has been a force from the blue line. He's become a crucial part of our game and without him, the Bruins defense is going to suffer a little bit.
And as much as I want to say we'll be okay with Bartkowski, I just can't in good confidence. Bartkowski has played in 13 games and in those 13 games he has 6 assists, which is relatively good all things considered. But outside of the times when he helps score goals, he's a mediocre player. He can get relatively sloppy and doesn't seem to do well under pressure. He has shown signs of improvement though, which is encouraging if he does need to play against a team like the Habs. But in any case he definitely isn't Krug, so let's just hope that Krug is back in time because we want all hands on ice for this game.
This could get a little worrisome when we play the Habs because it is not easy to fill the hole left byan all around great defenseman like Krug. Krug has been scoring, making plays, getting physical and has been a force from the blue line. He's become a crucial part of our game and without him, the Bruins defense is going to suffer a little bit.
And as much as I want to say we'll be okay with Bartkowski, I just can't in good confidence. Bartkowski has played in 13 games and in those 13 games he has 6 assists, which is relatively good all things considered. But outside of the times when he helps score goals, he's a mediocre player. He can get relatively sloppy and doesn't seem to do well under pressure. He has shown signs of improvement though, which is encouraging if he does need to play against a team like the Habs. But in any case he definitely isn't Krug, so let's just hope that Krug is back in time because we want all hands on ice for this game.
Things aren't looking so hot for McQuaid. The Bruins have recalled Kevan Miller from the AHL on an emergency basis to fill McQuaid's spot if need be.
The upside of this situation is that Kevan Miller has proven to be a great fit with Bruins. In his last period with the team, he played in 3 games and although he didn't score, he played excellent hockey. He is a great match with Krug in terms of speed and physicality and his ability to hold the puck in the zone and help set up plays is just what the Bruins look for.
If McQuaid isn't back in time for the game against the Habs, it's pretty easy to be confident in Miller's ability to hold everything down at the blue line. He has experience playing with the Bruins against relatively difficult teams (i.e. the Penguins) so I don't worry much about his ability against high powered offenses or his ability to stay calm under pressure. We're pretty well covered if McQuaid doesn't make it into Thursday night's line up.
Overall, I think the team won't be hindered in Thursday's game by these injuries and it will still surely be one of the most anxiety inducing games of the season.
Until next time,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!
The upside of this situation is that Kevan Miller has proven to be a great fit with Bruins. In his last period with the team, he played in 3 games and although he didn't score, he played excellent hockey. He is a great match with Krug in terms of speed and physicality and his ability to hold the puck in the zone and help set up plays is just what the Bruins look for.
If McQuaid isn't back in time for the game against the Habs, it's pretty easy to be confident in Miller's ability to hold everything down at the blue line. He has experience playing with the Bruins against relatively difficult teams (i.e. the Penguins) so I don't worry much about his ability against high powered offenses or his ability to stay calm under pressure. We're pretty well covered if McQuaid doesn't make it into Thursday night's line up.
Overall, I think the team won't be hindered in Thursday's game by these injuries and it will still surely be one of the most anxiety inducing games of the season.
Until next time,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!