The Boston Bruins had two injury scares during Monday’s matinee game against the Anaheim Ducks. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy left the contest in the first period briefly after taking a puck to the hand. Luckily for him and the Bruins, McAvoy returned almost immediately. The 21-year-old defenseman should be just fine, as he finished the game without any kind of problem.
The other injury is probably going to hurt the Bruins a bit more. Or eventually a lot more. David Krejci took a cross-check from the Ducks captain, Ryan Getzlaf, with 7:55 to go in the first period. Krejci went down the tunnel. However, the Czech center appeared at the beginning of the second period.
His return lasted only two shifts as Krejci went down again, and he never returned to the contest. After the Bruins win over Anaheim, Bruce Cassidy labeled Krejci’s injury as an upper-body. Krejci has already missed one game of the season, opening night in Dallas, due to a knee injury.
Krejci took a cross-check to the right side from Getzlaf, and also took an elbow to the same area from Josh Manson before leaving the game. Krejci has already suffered a lot of back issues over the past few years.
The Bruins head coach said that the Bruins would know more definite news on Wednesday when they resume their practice ahead of Thursday’s clash with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Who would be the one to substitute Krejci in the lineup?
“We’d probably look at Lindholm first. He’s done a good job for us,” Cassidy said. “Whether he goes right into that spot or if we move Charlie, you know, but if he’s not ready, I suspect Lindholm would certainly be the first guy we’d look at. We’ll have to discuss that internally, see if there’s a better fit in Providence, but I think Lindy’s done his job here for us, so he should get that opportunity.”
The Bruins fans will have their fingers crossed it’s not a long-term issue for the 33-year-old center.
