BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Zach Senyshyn #19 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden on September 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Bruins can’t seem to catch a break these days.
Still without forwards David Backes, Jake DeBrusk, Karson Kuhlman, and Brett Ritchie, as well as defensemen Torey Krug, Kevan Miller, and John Moore, the Bruins added a new name to their injury report on Thursday with confirmation that winger Zach Senyshyn will miss at least four weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained in the Black and Gold’s last game.
Injured in the second period of the Tuesday shootout loss, it’s a tough break for the oft-criticized prospect, who has actually looked more than capable in his brief NHL run with the Big B’s this season, with two assists in four games. (Senyshyn would actually have four points in four points had it not been for some video review once again haunting the Bruins.)
But it’s especially damaging to the Black and Gold’s third line, where Senyshyn has proven to be a worthwhile fit opposite left winger Anders Bjork, be it with Charlie Coyle or Par Lindholm as the line’s pivot. In 29 minutes of five-on-five play with the Bjork-Senyshyn combination out there, the Bruins have controlled possession at almost 64 percent, outshot opponents 19-6, and outscored them two goals to none. Senyshyn has been especially impressive when it comes to forcing turnovers and creating looks with a strong skating game and dogged determination on the forecheck.
With Senyshyn out, the team recalled Trent Frederic from the P-Bruins. Frederic, who skated in 15 games with Boston last year, comes back to the NHL with five assists in 15 games with Providence this season.