Bruins Injury Updates: Rick & Riley Nash, Kuraly Aim For Thursday Return
Bruce Cassidy issued some Bruins injury updates over the weekend. His comments bode well for the team’s health entering the playoffs, which begin on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden.
Sean Kuraly and the Nashes – Rick and Riley – are all considered “possible” to return on Thursday for Game 1. Rick Nash and Kuraly, in particular, have resumed skating recently and were also possibilities to play on Sunday against the Florida Panthers.
Rick Nash has missed 12 games, sitting out since March 17 with a concussion suffered against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He confirmed his concussion to reporters on Saturday.
Riley Nash, on the other hand, suffered a different kind of head injury last Saturday against the Panthers. The Bruins center is expected to skate on Monday, his first practice since taking a puck to the side of his head off a shot by Torey Krug against Florida. He required 40 stitches to close a cut suffered in the accident.
Riley Nash is helped off the ice by David Backes after being hit in the head by a puck during a Boston Bruins game against the Florida Panthers at the TD Garden. (Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
Kuraly, meanwhile, has been battling a lower body injury but said he’s been told to shoot for a return on Thursday.
Cassidy confirmed that if and when Rick Nash returns to the lineup, he will slide right back in to the right wing spot on a line with center David Krejci and left winger Jake DeBrusk. Riley Nash’s return could put him back at third line center between Danton Heinen and David Backes, which will create some lineup questions for the fourth line once Kuraly comes back.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney could have further updates on the Bruins’ injuries when he addresses reporters at Warrior Ice Arena at 1:15 p.m. on Monday.
Click here for all Bruins updates as the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
Sources:
— Updates via Boston Globe, Boston Herald
