Matt Grzelcyk Misses Bruins vs Kings Game Monday

Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was not on the ice for warmups Monday night and did not play against the Los Angeles Kings.

Grzelcyk left the game-day skate early on Monday morning and following the morning skate, Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media that the puck-moving defenseman would be a game-time decision.

“Grizz has an upper-body we weren’t sure on and he’ll be a game-time decision,” Cassidy said. “We had the day off yesterday and didn’t know until now if he could go today. So if he can’t go it will be Jack Ahcan.”

It was indeed Ahcan and the rookie defenseman took Grzelcyk’s spot on the left side of the second pairing with Brandon Carlo on the right. Ahcan last played for the Boston Bruins on February 12 and had to leave the game in the first period after a dirty headshot from Ottawa Senators winger Austin Watson in a 2-0 Bruins win. Watson ended up with a two-game suspension from the reckless play but Ahcan has not played for the big club since then.

Matt Grzelcyk, when healthy, has had a solid season with two goals and 17 assists in 51 games. He also has a plus 13 which is pretty impressive considering the riverboat gamble style he can play as a slick-moving defenseman.

Here’s how the Bruins lined up Monday:

Forwards

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Jake DeBrusk

Taylor Hall – Erik Haula – David Pastrnak

Trent Frederic – Charlie Coyle – Craig Smith

Nick Foligno-Tomas Nosek-Curtis Lazar

Defense:

Mike Reilly – Charlie McAvoy

Matt Grzelcyk – Brandon Carlo

Derek Forbort – Connor Clifton

Goalies:

Linus Ullmark

Jeremy Swayman