By: Jason Cooke | Follow me on Twitter / X @cookejournalism
Freshly pushed to the brink of elimination, the Boston Bruins announced a slew of roster transactions Monday morning. Patrick Brown, Jayson Megna, and Brandon Bussi have been recalled from Providence, while Michael DiPietro has been assigned back to Boston’s American Hockey League affiliate.
While some of these moves may impact Boston’s Game Five roster on Tuesday, the goaltender transactions are unlikely to factor into Boston’s do-or-die matchup with the Florida Panthers. DiPietro—who has been with the Bruins as an emergency netminder throughout the playoffs—is simply trading places with Bussi as the team prepares to travel to Florida. Bussi has already served as Boston’s emergency goalie this postseason, and Bruins management is electing to provide Bussi with some extra practice reps in Florida ahead of Game Five. But nothing more than that, as Swayman is expected to defend the crease after a commendable effort in Game Four, where he made 38 stops.
As for the forwards, there is a possibility that at least one of them will crack Jim Montgomery’s lineup on Tuesday. Brown suited up for Game One of the series to give the Bruins a different look on the fourth line, recording 8:27 of ice time on 13 shifts. Most notably, he committed a questionable penalty early in the game after a scrum in the neutral zone. His postseason run was short-lived, as he was returned to Providence shortly after. Brown previously played in 11 regular season games for the Bruins, picking up one assist.
On the other hand, Megna hasn’t yet received his postseason shot with the B’s. The 34-year-old veteran has been around the National Hockey League, playing 204 career games for six different teams. But since being signed as a free agent by the Bruins last summer, he spent most of his time in Providence, logging 69 games and producing 19-37-56. Megna appeared in Boston’s regular-season finale against the Ottawa Senators as his only NHL game this season. This postseason call-up could be a reward for the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native in his home state. But as Boston’s backs are against the wall, anything could happen to provide a spark to a goal-stricken lineup.
Sweeney Mr. Donnys come lately. Should have unloaded him instead of Bruce Cassidy. Monte shows me nothing that makes me think he should not be fired when this series is over. If it goes 7 it would be fitting to fire Monte and make him pay his own way home….like they did to Rick Bowness……