Nov 6, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) and left wing Brad Marchand (63) congratulate left wing Milan Lucic (17) on scoring a goal during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at TD Banknorth Garden. The Boston Bruins won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been a rough time for Bruins fans in the bottom half of 2014. First we lost Jarome Iginla to free agency, Shawn Thornton was not re-signed over the summer, and then we lost Johnny Boychuk before the start of the season. When the season finally started, the Bruins slogged through September and October playing .500 hockey. What really hurt was the consistent loss of players due to injuries in the first two months, and as the Bruins roll through November, that problem plagues them still.
The Bruins have four defensemen out at the moment. Zdeno Chara is expected to be out until December. There is no set timetable for either Kevan Miller or David Warsofsky to return. Torey Krug may be able to return on Monday, but that looks like it is a game time decision. If Krug is out, expect to either see yet another Providence player get called up to be the number six d-man, or see Matt Bartkowski hopefully redeem himself on the ice against the New Jersey Devils.
The Bruins have only one forward hurt right now, but it’s a very big name for Boston. Bruins alternate captain David Krejci has been battling some kind of injury. Claude Julien has been his usual silent self on the nature of the injury. Krejci has played nine seasons for the Black and Gold, and this has been his most frustrating start to date. “That’s not the start to the season I would love to have, but it is what it is,” said Krejci after the B’s 5-2 win over Edmonton. “This is my first time that I’m actually battling with injuries in my career so, I’ve got to get through it. It’s something new for me, but I’ve been working hard and felt pretty good so I was good enough to play so hopefully I’ll have the next few days good days and feel even better on Monday.”
Krejci is currently listed as day-to-day. Claude Julien believes the injury is only a short term concern, and it’s quite possible that he will be playing on Monday against the Devils. “I think we’ve got one of the best medical staffs in the League here in Boston,” said the coach over Krejci’s injury. ” So we take advantage of that, and in my mind, he’ll be fine. We’ve just got to give it a little bit of time here.”
Krejci has missed five games so far for the B’s, but he has still made his presence felt in Boston. He is currently tied for second in scoring for the Black and Gold (along with Brad Marchand and Dougie Hamilton) with ten points. He’s put in three goals, is a +4, has put up ten minutes in penalties, and has put in a short-handed goal for Boston. He’s currently hitting the net thirteen percent of the time. Milan Lucic has played better with Krejci on his line than without him as well, so hopefully he’ll be close to one hundred percent Monday night.