Grzelcyk To COVID Protocol, Achan Recalled By Bruins

The Boston Bruins got some bad news Thursday afternoon as defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was placed into COVID protocol. As a result, the Bruins recalled defenseman Jack Achan up from the Providence Bruins on an emergency basis.

Grzelcyk joins defensemen Derek Forbort and Connor Clifton, who were placed in COVID protocol on Monday and Achan is now the second defenseman this week recalled from Providence Bruins on an emergency basis.

This trip to COVID Protocol comes at a tough time for not just the backend for the Boston Bruins but for Grzelcyk who was seemingly finding his game as of late. With a goal and four assists in a 7-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Monday, Grzelcyk became the first Boston Bruins defenseman to register five points in a single game since Ray Bourque did it with five assists on Jan. 1, 1994, ironically four days before Grzelcyk was born.

“As it’s happening, you just kind of shake your head,” Grzelcyk said on a Zoom call following the game Monday night in Washington. “I was just laughing during the game because I’ve felt good about my game most of the year and points have been a little bit hard to come by. It’s something I don’t really worry about, but at the same time my job is to [contribute] offensively.”

Grzelcyk also added an assist in the 5-1 win for the Boston Bruins over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night at TD Garden to give him a goal and five assists in his last two games. The Charlestown, MA native has two goals and 12 assists in 33 games this season.

Grzelcyk has been paired with Charlie McAvoy on the top pairing for the Boston Bruins since the team returned from the COVID/Holiday pause on New Year’s Day. With both Grzelcyk and John Moore suddenly out of the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, it was not known who may skate with McAvoy tonight on the top pairing.