Boston Bruins: One injured player to welcome back, two more in doubt
The Boston Bruins look set to welcome Joakim Nordstrom back against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, but he seems likely to be the only return from injury.
Also on the Boston Bruins’ injury list at present are Karson Kuhlman and David Krejci. While Krejci has made it back out onto the ice in practice, the team are likely to err on the side of caution.
Given their recent winning record, even without Krejci in the line-up, the Boston Bruins can afford to give the veteran center a little extra time to work through any niggles and long-time ailments.
Kuhlman, on the other hand, we should expect to not be back until an earliest of November, given he suffered a pretty severe lower-body issue.
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Per the Boston Herald, the Boston Bruins are taking Thursday off before getting back at it Friday ahead of the busy weekend, where they’ll be playing three games in four nights. Safe to say, it’d be wise to err with throwing Krejci straight back into the fire.
Joakim Nordstrom, on the other hand, can play let’s say half of those four games, given the depth available within the bottom-six. It’d simply mean rotating in or out one of Brett Ritchie, David Backes, Par Lindholm or Anders Bjork (though he’s currently assigned back to Providence).
He offers a great option in the bottom-six and seems to have a knack for scoring points at just the right time. Given the distinct lack of secondary scoring in this line-up thus far this season, that’s exactly the sort of player the Boston Bruins are in need of.
Of the three injured players, it’s clear that David Krejci brings the most to the team, but by running the lines with relatively even ice-time beyond the top-line, Bruce Cassidy has been able to fill the hole at center by sharing the load – Sean Kuraly and Charlie Coyle certainly have seen extra shifts.
Kuhlman was meant to be the big breakthrough player on the second-line right wing, but you have a feeling he could be usurped by Brett Ritchie or maybe Anders Bjork, if the Boston Bruins are willing to show trust in these guys.
Either way, with his injury ensuring he’ll be laid up for a reasonable period, he could actually have a fight on his hands to return straight into the starting line-up.
Next. Why the St. Louis Blues game will be painful. dark
It’s always good to bring a player back into the fold, let’s hope Nordstrom comes out all guns blazing against the St. Louis Blues. A motivated and fighting fit player is even better, especially as we really want this win.