Bruins Practice: Bergeron, Ritchie Next Two Games; Gaunce, Studnicka Recalled

The Boston Bruins will dress a vastly different lineup on Tuesday night than the one that defeated the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. Speaking at Warrior Ice Arena following practice on Monday, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Patrice Bergeron and Brett Ritchie are both out for the next two games. The Bruins will visit the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night and then the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

“Similar issue..no timeline,” Cassidy told reporters regarding Bergeron’s injury. “Medical staff will stay on top of it.”

Bergeron missed two games earlier this month with a lower-body injury. Ritchie (infection) has been in and out of the lineup all month. He played on Saturday but will miss the next two games.

As for Ritchie, the team’s medical staff is still trying to figure out how to manage his infection long term and prevent him from playing a game here and there and then missing more.

“I think they’re going to look at a little more long term, how to deal with it so it doesn’t come back,” Cassidy said

With Bergeron and Ritchie on the shelf, Cassidy confirmed the Bruins are looking at two call-ups to replace them. Jack Studnicka and Brendan Gaunce are two names under consideration. Studnicka has 18 points (9 g, 9 a) in 21 AHL games and has yet to make his NHL debut. Gaunce was recalled earlier this month but has yet to make his Bruins debut.

Par Lindholm (cut) will travel with the Bruins and is likely to return to the lineup in Montreal. Lindholm last played against Buffalo last Thursday night. He missed Saturday’s tilt with the cut suffered against the Sabres.

With Bergeron and Ritchie not making the trip north, the Bruins recalled forwards Jack Studnicka and Brendan Gaunce from Providence (AHL). Cassidy has been impressed with Studnicka’s play as of late with the P-Bruins but is still skeptical of whether he can consistently handle the physical rigors of the NHL.

“He’s been very consistent, playing in all facets of the game,” Cassidy said about Studnicka. “Our concern with him coming up, I guess when he left here, would be in his first recall is how’s his strength going to be. So we’ll see if he’s the guy going in there, we’ll find out. He’s handled it well down there.”

Per Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy, David Backes (upper-body) was skating at practice. The veteran forward was wearing a non-contact jersey. John Moore also skated.

Here’s how the Bruins lined up at practice on Monday.

Brad Marchand – David Krejci – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – Charlie Coyle – Danton Heinen
Anders Bjork – Sean Kuraly – David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom – Par Lindholm – Chris Wagner

Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug – Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk – Connor Clifton
John Moore – Steven Kampfer

Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak