Alberta’s CALGARY — Matt Grzelcyk, who was injured on his first and only shift in Edmonton the previous evening, was still out of commission on Thursday night as the Bruins dropped their fourth game of a four-game trip, 3-2 in overtime to the Flames.
Coach Jim Montgomery states that Grzelcyk’s availability will be evaluated on a daily basis.
“Very good progress,” Montgomery remarked. “Playing back-to-back games didn’t make sense for him.”
Additionally, the coach stated that Grzelcyk had sustained a lower body injury, which may have been caused by Oilers forward Ryan McLeod slashing the defenseman’s left skate boot. For the evening, Grzelcyk’s ice time was 35 seconds.After being left off of the Edmonton roster, Kevin Shattenkirk took Grzelcyk’s spot.
Earlier in the day, the Bruins also called up AHL Providence defenseman Ian Mitchell. Mitchell did not play, but he was available for duty here. Mitchell had played under Montgomery at the University of Denver for a year. Mitchell recorded two assists in 13 games played with the varsity earlier in the season.
Jakub Lauko pulled back into the corps of forwards as well. He took over for Justin Brazeau, a rookie.
Charlie McAvoy played more than thirty minutes on the ice in Edmonton, including the last shift of the game when he scored the game-winning overtime goal. Montgomery had no idea that McAvoy would be playing less time.
“We don’t have to worry about him because he’s a blessed human being with a huge oxygen tank,” Montgomery remarked.Jakub Lauko pulled back into the corps of forwards as well. He took over for Justin Brazeau, a rookie.
Charlie McAvoy played more than thirty minutes on the ice in Edmonton, including the last shift of the game when he scored the game-winning overtime goal. Montgomery had no idea that McAvoy would be playing less time.
“We don’t have to worry about him because he’s a blessed human being with a huge oxygen tank,” Montgomery remarked.DeBrusk, 13-14-27, had not registered a point since his goal on January 22 against Winnipeg. His 1-2–2 line against the Oilers put an end to his nearly month-long drought on a night when he took a season-high six shots on goal.
One common strategy to break out of an offensive rut is to shoot more and more accurately.
Postgame, Montgomery said, “He’s been good, he’s had a lot of scoring chances.” “He’s making plays while holding onto pucks. That line, in my opinion, might have had a few more objectives.
Pavel Zacha was in the middle and Pastrnak was on the right wing for DeBrusk’s trio that night. Pastrnak scored his 35th goal of the season, a club record.DeBrusk was one of the team’s most effective forwards during the post-Christmas run-up to the All-Star break. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He abandoned his offensive game at the beach, much like many of his teammates.
Maybe the trip home will be the catalyst for DeBrusk to get back on track and gain confidence.
