Bruins Thoughts: Studnicka, Trades & More

As the Boston Bruins hit day four of the COVID-19 pause as they have five players in the NHL’s protocols, here are some thoughts moving forward and hoping they can return to the ice Wednesday for practice and resume their remaining schedule Thursday night.

• With David Krejci and Sean Kuraly in the protocols, can we have Jack Studnicka inserted back into the lineup at center? When he made the Opening Night roster at right wing, things didn’t go so well for him and he eventually ended up getting hurt and finding his way down to Providence in the American Hockey League. When he came back up when Krejci went down with an injury, he excelled at center for the Bruins. If Krejci and/or Kuraly are out beyond the restart, hopefully, Studnicka finds his way into the lineup at center.
• Speaking of Kuraly, have you seen his plus/minus rating this season? He’s currently sitting with a minus-8. Let’s not overlook one of his linemates, Chris Wagner. He’s right behind Kuraly with a minus-7.

• What’s your confidence level in Don Sweeney making a deal to add a forward? You have to think that if a move is not made, a playoff spot is not guaranteed. Boston is three points clear of the Philadelphia Flyers for the fourth and final East Division playoff spot, but once again, stop me if you have heard this before, adding some secondary scoring and/or a right wing for Krejci is a priority.
• Do the Bruins need to add a top-four blueliner? It’s debatable. Right now, the Bruins have just three of the six Opening Night defensemen in the lineup, Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk, and rookie Jakub Zboril. Brandon Carlo is out after taking Tom Wilson’s hit a few weeks back and Jeremy Lauzon is out after surgery for a fractured hand. Getting those two back would be a lift, but Sweeney should not ignore that adding a left-handed shot defenseman is a move to consider if the right deal comes along.
• It was only one start, but you have to be happy with the effort from rookie goalie Dan Vladar against the Pittsburgh Penguins last Tuesday night. Thirty-four saves in a much-needed 2-1 Bruins victory. Those were two points the Black and Gold needed to have following their shutout loss to the New York Rangers on March 13 and their loss the night before to the Penguins.
• I’m not going to go Jack Edwards on the Buffalo Sabres, but captain obvious here thinks that the Bruins playoff berth would almost certainly hinder on the outcome of the final seven games with the Sabres. Again, I’m not really breaking any news here.

The good news for the Bruins is that they have gone two days without adding anyone else to the league’s protocols. Hopefully, it stays that way and they can open up their facilities Wednesday.