PHOTO CREDITS: (NHL.com)
By: Max Mainville | Check me out on Twitter @tkdmaxbjj
Tonight, September 23rd, the Boston Bruins have announced that veteran forward David Krejci will not return to Monday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers with a lower-body injury.
Playing for the first time in the updated TD Garden in the seven-game preseason schedule, the Bruins opened up the game with a beautiful snipe from rookie winger Jakub Lauko in the first period and looking pretty good on a few man-advantages. The Flyers did not sit back fully, however, as recently-signed Travis Konecny buried one past Tuukka Rask to even the score at one apiece.
During the course of the opening frame, David Krejci only played two shifts for a combined total of 1:55 of ice-time. Bruins CLNS Media member, Evan Marinofsky, shared the video of the suspected scenario that resulted in Krejci’s injury. Whether it is a knee, ankle, or foot injury – is not yet certain at this point.
While it seems like a good time to panic about the severity of the injury, I gently remind you that it is only preseason hockey and it could very well be a precautionary measure to ensure Krejci does not seriously injury himself before the start of the regular season. Krejci only missed one game last season and proved once again that he is a pivotal part to this organization.
Krejci tied a career-high in points last season with 20-53-73 numbers in 81 games played along with an impressive 4-12-16 stat-sheet in the 24 games during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the past, Krejci has dealt with injuries during the season that has caused some fans to attribute him as being “injury-prone”, but either way every player goes through injuries – all you can do is hope they recover quickly.
In the meantime, Head Coach Bruce Cassidy will be shuffling his lines around everywhere for the remainder of this game tonight in order to fill the vacancy that Krejci has now left. Charlie Coyle will likely see time alongside wingers David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand as he is the second-best center on the ice for Boston tonight.
At the end of the second period, the Bruins are leading the Flyers by a score of 2-1 as a result of Brad Marchand’s tally early in the middle period. Word on Krejci’s injury is likely to come following the conclusion of this game. Stay tuned on my Twitter @tkdmaxbjj and the Black N’ Gold Hockey website for the latest on Boston Bruins news and injury reports.
The Bruins have two more preseason games before opening night on October 3rd. First, the New Jersey Devils in Boston on Wednesday and a final meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks in Boston this Saturday.
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