Boston Bruins

Update: David Pastrnak Exits Bruins Game Early With Upper-Body Injury

Published

3 weeks ago

December 23, 2024

Andrew Fantucchio

Photo courtesy of the Boston Bruins/@NHLBruins on 𝕏

BOSTON — David Pastrnak has not looked like his usual self all season for the Boston Bruins.

It appears whatever has been ailing him caught up to him on Monday night against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden, where he exited the game early in the middle of the second period.

Pastrnak was not on the Boston bench when the two teams did not return to the bench when the two teams came out for the third and was later deemed unlikely to return with an upper-body injury.

UPDATE: David Pastrnak (upper-body) is unlikely to return to tonight's game.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 24, 2024

Pastrnak’s final shift of the night came with 11:45 remaining in the second period. As he skated through the middle of the ice, Pastrnak pulled up awkwardly just before bumping into Capitals forward Tom Wilson and left the game shortly after.

I think that's your reaction but I'm not sure the contact had much to do with it. pic.twitter.com/cF7HI3h65j

— dafoomie (@dafoomie) December 24, 2024

With Pastrnak out of the game for the Bruins, the newly acquired Oliver Wahsltrom filled his role on the first line next to Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie and on the top power-play unit.

Pastrnak revealed earlier this season that he suffered an injury over the summer. He admitted the injury prevented him from fulfilling his typical offseason training program and wasn’t entirely healthy when the Bruins began training camp.

Pastrnak has struggled this season to be the consistent goal scorer the Bruins have relied on him to be in the past, as he’s tallied just 12 goals through 35 games. Still, he leads the team with 35 points.

Even without Pastrnak available the rest of the night, the Bruins still pulled out a major victory over the Capitals, defeating one of the best teams the Eastern Conference has to offer in what was perhaps their most convincing win yet.

The Bruins have a three-day break beginning tomorrow for Christmas, which will give Pastrnak some extra time to recover.

Either way, and absence of any kind by him is one the Bruins cannot afford.