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Boston Bruins Recall Noel Acciari and Sean Kuraly on Emergency Basis

By Brandon Share-Cohen

Dec 18, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Noel Acciari (55) checks Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort (24) into the boards during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Noel Acciari (55) checks Los Angeles Kings defenseman Derek Forbort (24) into the boards during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins Recall Noel Acciari and Sean Kuraly on Emergency Basis Ahead of Game Against Maple Leafs

The Boston Bruins are banged up. At this stage in the season, it’s to be expected. With just 11 games left in the season for the Bruins, the goal remains qualifying for the playoffs, though they will also need to stay fresh and healthy for the postseason should they make it.

As it stands, the team is down forwards Patrice Bergeron, Matt Beleskey and Tim Schaller. Bergeron, however, is expected to make the trip to Toronto. For Schaller and Beleskey, though, the Bruins have dealt accordingly by recalling two players who can instantly slot into their bottom-six in Noel Acciari and Sean Kuraly.

Earning the Opportunity

In 19 games with Boston this season, Acciari has recorded two assists and four penalty minutes to go along with 52 hits. He’s recently gotten hot with the Providence Bruins, however, scoring five points in his last five games to give him six goals and 14 points on the year in 30 games. Acciari has spent time in Boston over the last two seasons and is a legitimate physical threat whenever he’s in the lineup. For the Bruins, this could be a good opportunity to ensure that both Beleskey and Schaller are rested and healthy without sacrificing physicality.

Related Story: Brad Marchand on Pace for 90 Points

Kuraly has only played in five games with Boston in his career, all coming this season. He failed to record a point with the big club but has scored 13 goals and 24 points with Providence in his rookie season with the club. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound forward may or may not get ice time this time around in Boston, but he has done well enough in Providence to at least earn a chance to show what he can do in practice ahead of the Bruins’ game against the Maple Leafs.

Next: Bruins Prepare for Tough Division Matchups

The playoffs are in reach. The Bruins currently hold a 90 percent chance of qualifying for the postseason for the first time in three seasons. If they maintain their pace and show that they’re closer to the team they’ve been since the hiring of Bruce Cassidy than the team they were prior, then the Bruins will be a force to be reckoned with heading into the playoffs. Only time will tell.

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