Banged up Boston Bruins look to depth after first game

After Boston Bruins fans caught their breath following a hard fought 4-3 win over the Stanley Cup runner up Nashville Predators, they were greeted by a hockey team nursing some key wounds.

It’s officially hockey season here in Boston, Massachusetts. On Opening Night, the 2017-18 Boston Bruins debuted with 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators. The night was full of bright moments for the youth movement, featuring the first regular season assist from Charlie McAvoy, and first goals for the aforementioned defenseman, as well as Jake DeBrusk. However, the night wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, as the Black and Gold are still dealing with injuries to key players.

Noel Acciari

After blocking a shot in the second period, Acciari headed down the tunnel with the training staff, and didn’t return to the game. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy expects the fourth liner to miss at least one game, according to Joe Haggerty with NBC Sports Boston. In his absence, expect a call down to the 401, as Forwards Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Danton Heinen could come up from Providence.

Patrice Bergeron

The reigning Selke Trophy winner has been absent from practice, and missed Thursday’s opener with a lower-body injury. According to #37, though, his injury currently is unrelated to the offseason hernia surgery that saw him sidelined for a substantial amount of time. However, the alternate captain said he’s day-to-day, so expect his return sooner rather than later.

David Backes

Diverticulitis. Pre-Med students and doctors aside, raise your hand if you had to Google what the Bruins winger is dealing with. Okay, put them down. The former St. Louis Blue is sidelined with an intestinal infection, and Head Coach Bruce Cassidy said he’s “week to week”. Although Backes disappointed in his first year as a member of the Spoked-B, the team surely will miss his physicality out on the ice.

Torey Krug

The gritty, offensive defenseman was poised to start the year alongside McAvoy on the blue line, but after taking a puck up high against the Red Wings in the preseason, Krug has been limited with a fractured jaw. However, the Michigan State alum could feature in Monday’s game against the Avalanche. Look for his return, just like #37, sooner rather than later. Side note: Although his jaw is broken, his Twitter fingers work just fine when it comes to chirping Brad Marchand.

Next: Bruce Cassidy and the causeway kids

The Road Ahead

After a statement win against the runner up to the Cup last year, the Bruins find themselves back in action against the Avalanche on Monday, October 9th. Look for Bruce Cassidy to replace Acciari from within if Bergeron finds himself back in the lineup, or to make a call to Providence for JFK or one of his teammates. The young, fast paced team looks poised to do damage this year, and we couldn’t be more excited.