The Boston Bruins announced on Thursday that Frank Vatrano and David Pastrnak will be returning to the lineup for the team’s meeting with the Florida Panthers tonight.
"Highly likely" that Frank Vatrano and David Pastrnak are in the lineup tonight, per Julien.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 22, 2016
Frank Vatrano and David Pastrnak Return to Lineup
Pastrnak missed Boston’s last two games: a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings and a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders. He underwent a procedure to remove an olecranon bursa from his right elbow, the same surgery that sidelined fellow Bruin David Backes in October. He is currently second in the league in goals behind only Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby. The 20-year old Czech has scored 19 goals in the 27 games he has played this season, and remains to be the team’s top offensive producer, especially when playing on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
Vatrano, who started practicing with the team at the beginning of the month, put up 11 points in 39 games played with Boston last year. In addition to the 36 goals he scored with the team’s AHL affiliate in Providence (he had 39 goals in 43 games with the Providence Bruins).
He suffered torn ligaments in his foot before training camp this season, which resulted in Vatrano being unable to skate until just after Thanksgiving. After practicing with Boston for a week, Vatrano was sent down to the Providence Bruins this past weekend, where he scored one goal in each game played.
Based on line rushes at morning skate, it looks like Vatrano will be skating on the third line with Riley Nash and Austin Czarnik, and Pastrnak will be back with Bergeron and Marchand. The added depth and scoring ability of the return of these two will be a great addition to the lineup.
The Bruins are in Miami today to face the Florida Panther (15-13-5). This game also has the headline that, if he gets a point tonight, Jaromir Jagr will take sole possession of second all-time in scoring.
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