Entering Monday tied for first place in the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins appear to be on the verge of receiving a few major reinforcements as David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy could suit up by the end of the week.
The 29-year-old Pastrnak, a four-time All-Star forward, and McAvoy, 27, an All-Star defenseman, will join the Bruins on their three-game road trip that opens on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Boston will then visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday and the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
Pastrnak, who has 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 25 games this season, has missed the last five games with an undisclosed injury. In his 12th season with the Bruins, who selected him No. 25 overall in the 2014 draft, Pastrnak has 862 points (402 goals, 460 assists) over 781 games.
McAvoy, who has sat out the last 10 games after he was hit in the face with a puck, has posted 14 points (all assists) this season over 19 games. He also leads all Bruins defensemen in average ice time (23:46). In his ninth season with Boston after he was its No. 14 overall pick in 2016, he has 314 points (60 goals, 254 assists) in 523 games.
“We just have to make sure nothing will change,” Bruins coach Marco Sturm told reporters Monday. “I think we’ve been very, very good structure-wise for a bit and that’s going to be the biggest thing, the guys who are coming back, they have to find their way back in the lineup, playing the same way, just exactly the way they finished. I think that’s all.”
Out since Nov. 26 against the New York Islanders, Pastrnak said he expected to return for the Bruins’ next game two days later against the New York Rangers. He hadn’t skated with the Bruins until Monday, taking part in practice in a non-contact jersey.
“It sucks,” Pastrnak said. “I’m happy I was back out there today. Felt great. See how I feel tomorrow. I’ve been pretty fortunate the last couple years, so just want to get back out there.”
McAvoy, who underwent facial surgery after the puck incident on Nov. 15 against the Montreal Canadiens, had to go on a liquid diet, which resulted in him dropping 20 pounds.
“Getting it back,” McAvoy said. “One day at a time, but every day I feel better so keep doing that.”
–Field Level Media
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