Dec 23, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid (54) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Bruins beat the Predators 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Update on McQuaid
A press release from the Boston Bruins detailed that 27-year-old defenseman Adam McQuaid underwent ankle surgery on Thursday, May 1, and the presumed recovery period is eight weeks, making him unavailable for coach Claude Julien in the remaining playoff competitions.
McQuaid started 30 games for Boston, registering one goal and five assists as well as a 12 plus-minus ratio. He was optimistic about his return in February.
“I feel good. My wind and stuff feels good,” he said, via WEEI.com. “It’s just kind of getting used to being in situations, and even just kind of getting your hands back. It’s a quick game, so I’m getting used to the tempo and making plays at high speed. It’s more just about shaking the rust.”
Skating for the last time on Apr. 19, McQuaid has been sideline with his ailment since Jan. 19. Over the past few months, Julien may have expected the former AHL Bruins’ man to get back onto gameday ice. However, setbacks ensued, and if he was to make another appearance in the Black and Gold this year, he would do so in the postseason.
Bruins’ Defense Have Held Firm
The Bruins are dealing with McQuaid and also Dennis Seidenberg‘s absence right now. Julien has relied on young blueliners to thwart the Canadiens’ attack, and while Dougie Hamilton and Co. may not have thrust the Habs to a grinding halt, they’ve done what’s required to maintain a level series, 1-1.
In fact, it’s actually their scoring tendencies that have made this bunch more than tolerable. In 2012-13, the B’s defensemen scored 23 goals–10.5 percent of the team total. When the playoffs commenced, this statistic increased, scoring 26 percent of the team’s scores on the way to vying for Lord Stanley’s hardware.
This year, 50 of the 259 goals (19 percent) the Bruins seized arrived at the hands of the D, and that number has basically doubled in the postseason thus far.