While the Boston Bruins went on to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in overtime yesterday, winger Jake DeBrusk wasn’t able to be a part of the victory.
DeBrusk left the game sometime in the first period after taking a big hit from Penguins’ left wing Brandon Tanev. It would be noticed that DeBrusk was not on the bench for the second period and he would ultimately be ruled out for the rest of the game with a lower-body injury.
Today, Jan. 27, DeBrusk didn’t practice. It would be later confirmed that DeBrusk will not play in Thursday’s rematch with the Pens.
Right now, this is exactly what the B’s didn’t need or want. They’re already two right wings down with David Pastrnak still working his way back from offseason hip surgery and Ondrej Kase still on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
DeBrusk was already moved from left wing to right wing to fill the spot of first line right wing, now some more shuffling will have to be done. However, it shouldn’t last too long as Pasta could be back Saturday.
Jake DeBrusk’s absence has caused several changes in the Boston Bruins’ lineup.
As I mentioned before, DeBrusk was already moved from second line left wing to first line right wing due to the Kase injury. Now with DeBrusk injured, the Black and Gold are once again looking for a first line right wing.
This has caused head coach Bruce Cassidy to something he has been so reluctant to do, separate Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith.
With DeBrusk out, Cassidy has decided that Smith is the best option to fill his spot on the first line, and I tend to agree with this, except for the fact that he’s now breaking up what has been Boston’s best line so far this season in Trent Frederic, Coyle, and Smith.
Smith to the first line is not the only change that has happened due to DeBrusk being unable to play.
Coyle has also been moved from third line center to second line right wing and Jack Studnicka has been moved down in the lineup from second line right wing to third line right wing. With a lineup spot still open, Par Lindholm has stepped into Coyle’s former role of third line center.
Now I really don’t like that the third line was separated, but Cassidy really didn’t have a choice. Bjork has proven that he doesn’t deserve a top-six role and now some else on the roster besides Smith, Coyle, and maybe Studnicka should be in the top-six.
Hopefully Pastrnak can make his season debut on Saturday and DeBrusk doesn’t miss too much time, because I have a feeling the Bruins are going to struggle with this lineup tomorrow.