Bruins’ Kuraly placed in league’s concussion protocol, out vs. Devils
Thursday’s dominating win over the Lightning did not come without a loss for the Bruins, unfortunately, as Sean Kuraly was knocked out of action on a heavy hit from Tampa Bay defenseman Braydon Coburn.
Taken out of the game by the league’s concussion spotter, Kuraly seemed to be in good spirits walking around the locker room after the victory, but will miss Saturday night’s meeting with the Devils as he remains in the NHL concussion protocol.
With Kuraly out, Peter Cehlarik finds himself back with the Bruins on an emergency recall after a one-day AHL stint.
Cehlarik, who recorded four goals and six points in his most recent 14-game stint with the Bruins, will skate on the left side of a Boston third line featuring Charlie Coyle in the middle and David Backes on the right side.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy gave that a line a look against the St. Louis Blues last Saturday, and though they finished without a point and were on the ice for a goal against, the line showed some slight promise, with the Bruins generating nine even-strength shots on goal over their 9:39 sample.
Tuukka Rask gets the start in net for the Bruins. Rask stopped 20-of-21 shots faced in Thursday’s win over the Devils, and comes into action having won 13 of his last 16 decisions with a .931 save percentage over that stretch. New Jersey will counter with MacKenzie Blackwood. The 22-year-old Blackwood made 40 saves in a win against the B’s earlier this year.
The Black and Gold are currently riding a 15-game point streak, posting an 11-0-4 record over their last 15 games.
The Devils, meanwhile, come to Boston having lost two in a row, including a 6-3 final against the Flyers on Friday.
