Boston Bruins: Should we expect a Matt Grzelcyk return for Game 7?
By Luke Ryan
Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was injured back in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. He has been seen practising since in a red non-contact jersey, likely still under concussion protocol.
Since the hit by Oskar Sundqvist that saw Matt Grzelcyk leave Game 2, it’s been well-known that he was ‘under protocol’ which points to being under ongoing assessment by the Boston Bruins medical staff for any symptoms of concussion.
The fact that this is now expected behaviour within the modern-day NHL is great news. It’s a sign that the bravado of yesteryear; when you were knocked out on the ice but still expected to shake it off and make your next shift, is slowly fading away.
For Matt Grzelcyk, I’m sure he wishes he could’ve been out there these past games, helping the Boston Bruins to this Game 7 decider, but that’s not been the case.
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However, given he’s been on the ice with the team in practice sessions now for the best part of a week or so, you’d have to assume he’s nearing the point of being a game-time decision. That is huge news for the Boston Bruins, if it is the case.
He was rumoured to be ready for Game 4, Game 5 and Game 6 but never quite medically cleared. Hopefully Game 7 is a different story, as the Boston Bruins defense would certainly be improved by his return.
Should Matt Grzelcyk step back onto the blue-line, you no longer need Steven Kampfer or John Moore in the line-up or alternately, you swap out Connor Clifton who has seemed a little more tentative as this series has gone on.
Normal third-pairing guys are mere role players for their team, but Matt Grzelcyk has managed to develop into the quarterback of the Boston Bruins second power play unit. Not only that, he is the best blue-line guy in terms of breaking out defensively. These are both elements that have been sorely missed, despite the Boston Bruins managing to claw back the series to it’s current tied state.
A return from Matt Grzelcyk gives the team a boost both defensively and offensively, it means that a badly injured Zdeno Chara can be afforded a little extra rest because there’s a trustworthy option available on the third pair to fill in.
Ideal world, he’s ready to return in time for Game 7 and slots in alongside Connor Clifton on the third pair. It’s either that pairing or maybe you line John Moore up alongside him, giving the older player the nod, hoping that Moore handles the pressure slightly better than Clifton. Both are good, solid options and should give his team a boost regardless.
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It’s that or all this discussion is moot and he doesn’t get cleared in time. If that’s the case, let’s just hope to see him out there celebrating with the Stanley Cup come the end of Game 7!