Boston Bruins Expecting Grzelcyk And DeBrusk To Play Wednesday

All signs are pointing to Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and winger Jake DeBrusk returning to the roster in New York Wednesday when the Bruins take on the New York Rangers in the first of a two-game set that concludes next Friday. 

“My understanding is they’ll be ready to go Wednesday,” Boston Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy told the media following another third period comeback and 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Friday night. “I expect DeBrusk and Grzelcyk will be with us Monday [for practice].”

Cassidy reiterated that on Saturday and also gave updates on forwards Jack Studnicka (undisclosed) and Ondrej Kase (upper-body). 

“[Kase’s] not on the ice, I think he’s been on the bike,” Cassidy said prior to an optional skate at Warrior Arena. “Stud because he’s on the ice becomes a possibility [For practice Monday]. Kase because he hasn’t been on the ice yet would be a longshot to join our group that quickly.” 

It should also be noted that friend of BHN, Dominic Tiano of OHL writers – who is worth a follow on Twitter due to his connections amongst an array of pro and amateur scouts – reported that the Boston Bruins assigned forward Anton Blidh back to the Taxi Squad Saturday afternoon. That points to an imminent DeBrusk return as Cassidy indicated. 

Anton Blidh has been sent to the taxi squad. More to come once Studnicka and DeBrusk come off of IR. https://t.co/mGTHVzM5Fy

— Dominic Tiano (@dominictiano) February 6, 2021

As of 7:30 PM ET Saturday night though, DeBrusk, Studnicka and Kase remained on injured reserve according to the Bruins team site.  

Since being on the receiving end of a textbook hip check by Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby during a 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins on January 26, DeBrusk has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury. In six games this season, DeBrusk has an assist but has not been able to find the twine yet. 

Grzelcyk came back on January 28 after missing two games with a lower-body injury only to suffer a different lower-body injury. He’s missed the last four games. Grzelcyk has three assists in five games this season.

Studnicka scored the first even-strength goal for the Boston Bruins this season on January 21 ina  5-4 shootout win over the Flyers in the home opener for the Bruins. On January 28 though, he suffered an undisclosed injury and has missed the last four games. He has one goal in five games. 

Kase hasn’t played since the Bruins’ second game of the season on January 16 when he took a cross-check to the head from New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood. He had zero points in those first two games.  

The Boston Bruins had four more games rescheduled Saturday but part of that trade-off for a more condensed schedule down the road is welcome four days off in between games right now. Instead of playing Saturday and Monday, the Bruins are resting and getting ready for another busy stretch that begins at Madison Square Garden Wednesday.

“So right now, the schedule’s going to get tougher the later we go,” winger Brad Marchand said after extending his eight-game point streak (6g, 6a) on Friday. “Especially the games that we missed and we have to make up are going to make it even harder. So, the next few days are going to be big and to recover and recoup any kind of nagging injuries and spend some time at home and get away from the rink a bit.”