Boston Bruins Lazar (Upper Body) Out Vs. San Jose Sharks

The Boston Bruins will be down a fourth line forward as they continue on the West Coast after Curtis Lazar suffered an injury in Boston’s Thursday night win over the Seattle Kraken.

Lazar’s injury was termed an “upper body” issue that was different than the elbow injury that sidelined him at the beginning of the season, but it was unclear exactly when it happened during Boston’s 3-2 overtime victory against the Kraken. Lazar played just 3:52 of ice time in Thursday night’s win and didn’t take a shift after the second period. He’s been listed as “day-to-day” for the time being.

Bruce Cassidy indicated it could be either Anton Blidh or Jesper Froden that takes Lazar’s place in the Boston lineup for Saturday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

“Lazar won’t play [against the Sharks] and we’ll put him as day-to-day,” said Cassidy of Lazar, who has one assist and four shots on net in his last five games with the Black and Gold. “Froden is a right shot, so if he goes in then it keeps Nick Foligno on the left. If Blidh goes in then Foligno will have to go over to the right [wing].”

#NHLBruins practice updates per Coach Cassidy:

▪️ Maintenance day for Patrice Bergeron
▪️ Curtis Lazar (upper-body) is out tomorrow vs. SJS
▪️ Anton Blidh or Jesper Froden will sub in pic.twitter.com/gSL5ceRY48

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 25, 2022

Patrice Bergeron was missing from Friday’s practice in Seattle as well while he was feeling “a little under the weather” after logging 20-plus minutes against the Kraken on Thursday. Urho Vaakanainen hasn’t been ruled out from joining the Boston Bruins at some point during their current road trip out West, but he hasn’t resumed skating back in Boston at this point.

“I’ve been told not to plan on it for now, so he’s definitely out [against San Jose]” said Cassidy of the young D-man rejoining the team after he said he didn’t feel right while with the team last week. “If he doesn’t get here quick then he probably wouldn’t be available Monday or Tuesday, but he could at least get up and skating if he does join us.”