The Boston Bruins will be without Tuukka Rask and Jake Debrusk for their upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the first stint of injuries for both players this season. Also, it’s the first for Rask since he left the playoff bubble in Edmonton.
“Both players were banged up in Boston’s overtime victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night and will not be in the lineup for Thursday’s rematch between the teams at TD Garden.”
The #NHLBruins were without Tuukka Rask and Jake DeBrusk for today's skate at Warrior Ice Arena.
📰Wednesday's Practice Rundown from Brighton: https://t.co/Ui6QdYFFIA
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 27, 2021
Tuukka Rask Injured
Tuukka Rask has been exceptional in net for the Boston Bruins. He has posted a 3-1-0 record with a .905 save percentage, 2.13 goals-against average, and 1.02 goals saved above expected so far. He has continued to be a valuable piece of the team
Rask has been a staple in the net for the last eight seasons since he became the starter. Before that, he was the backup to Tim Thomas, a legend in Boston Bruins history. The timeline for Rask is unclear. He seemed to have problems after making an all-out effort to stop the first Penguins goal in the third period on Tuesday night. Rask managed to stay in the game, but was given the day off on Wednesday. Additionally, he will have the next game off as well. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is optimistic that he could get the start in Washington on Saturday.
Jake Debrusk Injured
Jake Debrusk has yet to find his rhythm this season. Notching only one point in six games so far, Debrusk hasn’t settled in entirely. This injury does not aid his quest to find consistency. He was playing in a top-six role, so Bruce Cassidy will have to switch up his line combinations. Craig Smith will most likely move up into a top-line role with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Ultimately breaking up one of Boston’s most productive lines at even-strength.
Despite Debrusk’s struggles up to this point, he has been a fairly consistent player in his short time in the league. With a career point total of 121 points in 209 games, 62 of them being goals, the Bruins coaching staff knows he can be trusted in a top-six, even on the top-line if necessary.
What This Means for the Future
The positive thing about these two injuries is they are short term. If Rask can start on Saturday, this will blow by like the breeze. The same thing can be said for the Debrusk injury. If he is only out for a game or two it is not a huge deal to the Bruins. They have enough forward depth to not worry about smaller injuries, not to mention a very capable backup goaltender in Jaroslav Halak. However, if these end up triggering other problems within both players, it could be detrimental to the Boston Bruins’ success.
With the Debrusk injury, it allows Par Lindholm to slot in on the third line next to Trent Frederic and rookie Jack Studnicka. While Lindholm isn’t close to the scorer that Smith or Debrusk are, he still provides a solid physical presence that can play above-average defence. Pair that with the dynamic Studnicka and defence oriented, play driving machine in Frederic and that turns out to be a great line.
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