Jake DeBrusk misses practice, game-time decision for Game 2 (Updated)
Jan 16, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk got the absolute crap beat out of him in Thursday’s Game 1.
It was enough to knock him out of action for a few shifts, but following the loss, DeBrusk insisted that he was “100 percent.” But 100 percent or not, the beating was apparently enough to keep DeBrusk off the ice for Friday’s practice.
“Jake was given a maintenance day,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters following practice. “He will be, I assume, back with us tomorrow morning. Obviously if he’s not feeling well then, we’ll have to make a decision.”
That decision would require some significant shuffling on the part of Cassidy, as Friday’s practice lines revealed.
“Put [David] Backes in and juggle the lines around,” Cassidy said of his plans up front if the Bruins are forced to play without DeBrusk. “Right now, we anticipate he’ll play.”
Based on their practice, Backes would go in and skate with Danton Heinen and Charlie Coyle on Boston’s third line. Marcus Johansson would move up to Cassidy’s second line with David Krejci and Karson Kuhlman. The B’s first and fourth lines, meanwhile, remained untouched throughout the Warrior Ice Arena skate.
Cassidy made it a point to mention that the 34-year-old Backes could return to action no matter DeBrusk’s status, though, given the lack of jump and physicality the Bruins skated with in their 4-1 defeat on Thursday night.
“David adds the physicality piece,” Cassidy said when discussing No. 42’s potential impact on this series. “We’ll have an internal discussion: Is that a better plan of action? I don’t think we executed our game plan very well. That’s on again the staff to get that message through. So we’ll see tomorrow. But I won’t make that decision today.”
Game 2 is Saturday night at 8 p.m.
Per #NHLBruins coach Bruce Cassidy:
Jake DeBrusk is a game-time decision. “I anticipate he’ll play.”
David Backes is back in regardless.
Lines will get sorted out for sure later today. pic.twitter.com/BdGDYADZfQ
