Bruins Latest: Lake Tahoe, Pastrnak, Kuhlman & Lauko

Here are some Bruins odds and ends as the season is one day away.

With the NHL dropping the puck tonight on the 2020-21 season with five games, the Boston Bruins have to wait one more day before beginning the season at the Prudential Center against the New Jersey Devils. As we wait for Game 1, here are some Bruins’ odds and ends.

NHL makes it official.

The National Hockey League made it official with an announcement confirming rumors that the Bruins will play the Philadelphia Flyers as part of their “Outdoor Weekend” at Lake Tahoe, Nev. on Feb 21. The game will be played at 3 p.m. and on NBC.

The game will mark the second outdoor game that the Bruins and Flyers will play. On New Years Day in 2010, Boston beat Philly, 2-1, in overtime in the annual “Winter Classic” at Fenway Park. It will be the Black and Gold’s fourth outdoor game overall.

The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights will play the first game in Lake Tahoe the day before, also at 3 p.m. and on NBC.

Pastrnak and Kuhlman take to the ice.

David Pastrnak is still recovering from hip surgery in September and won’t be ready until February, but the Bruins leading scorer last season was on the ice at Warrior Ice Arena Tuesday as part of the Bruins optional workout, wearing the maroon non-contact jersey.

https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1349040577082486787

The fact that Pasta is on the ice and going through some drills is a positive sign. It appears that Jack Studnicka might draw the first line right wing assignment in place of Pastrnak against the Devils.

Karson Kuhlman, who has been dealing with COVID-19 testing issues, also wore the maroon non-contact jersey. The Bruins brought back the University of Minnesota-Duluth standout on a two-year, $1.5 million contract to add depth to the fourth line. He is a candidate for the taxi squad once he’s cleared to play.

Lauko heading to Providence

Forward Jakub Lauko is returning from his native Czech Republic to the Providence Bruins after the P-Bruins opted into the 2021 American Hockey League season last week.

The 77th overall pick in the third round of the 2018 Entry Draft, Lauko was loaned last fall to HC Energie Karlovy Vary to get ice time and work on his development when it became clear that the AHL season was not going to start on time. Lauko, who was plagued by injuries last season, played in 22 games for Providence in 2019-20 with five goals and four assists.

Providence will play their home games this season at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts as the Dunkin Donuts Center is being used for various coronavirus initiatives as cases continue to rise in Rhode Island.