Injuries continue to pile up for the Boston Bruins. You can now add David Krejci and Connor Clifton to the players already out for the Bruins. The Bruins announced that the team placed Charlie McAvoy on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. In addition, Clifton is day-to-day with an upper-body injury along with Krejci being day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
#NHLBruins updates per Bruce Cassidy:
Brad Marchand | maintenance day
David Krejci | lower-body, won’t travel
Torey Krug | won’t travel
Charlie McAvoy | won’t travel
Connor Clifton | day-to-day, won’t travel
Jaro Halak starts tomorrow in NJ. pic.twitter.com/YpX7lYunyB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 30, 2019
Charlie McAvoy Placed on IR
McAvoy, one of the Bruins stalwarts on defence, suffered a lower-body injury during the Bruins 7-3 win over the Washington Capitals back on December 23rd. In that game, McAvoy was on the receiving end of a hit from Capitals forward T.J. Oshie. He missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury before the team announced what the injury was on Monday. In 38 games this season, McAvoy has registered 13 assists. McAvoy will not travel with the team as they face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
Connor Clifton Injured
Things have gone from bad to worse on defence for the Bruins. Already without Torey Krug and McAvoy, you can now add Clifton to the list of the walking wounded. During the Bruins 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, Clifton exited the game. The injury occurred during the first period and the club announced he would not return. He only saw 5:52 of ice time. In his first full season in the NHL, Clifton has played in 30 games registering two goals. Clifton will miss the game against the Devils on Tuesday. In the last meeting, Clifton registered a goal in a Bruins victory.
David Krejci Injured
During Monday’s practice, Krejci was absent for the Bruins. There was no indication of what caused his injury, but the incident occurred during Sunday’s game against the Sabres. All the team announced was that it was lower-body injury. Krejci finished the game against the Sabres assisting on the game-winner from Jake DeBrusk. Over his last seven games, Krejci has seven points. In 34 games this season, Krejci has registered 28 points (eight goals and 20 assists). With no timetable for his return, Krejci will miss Tuesday’s game against the Devils and possibly Thursday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Going Forward
The Bruins defence continues to be decimated. Already without Krug, and with McAvoy placed on injured reserve, the Bruins recalled Jeremy Lauzon on an emergency basis. Lauzon skated in 16 games with the Bruins last season. This season he has been playing with the Providence Bruins tallying 10 points (one goal and nine assists) in 35 games. Lauzon was skating on the second pair with Matt Grzelyck.
When McAvoy was originally injured, Steven Kampfer returned to the lineup. He will remain in the lineup going forward. Brandon Carlo saw his minutes go up playing alongside Zdeno Chara on the top-pair.
With Krejci out of the lineup, look for Par Lindholm to centre the second line of DeBrusk and David Backes.
Main Photo:
