Off the ice for almost a full week due to ongoing COVID issues, the Boston Bruins were finally delivered some good news Wednesday, with David Krejci, David Pastrnak, and Craig Smith all removed from the league’s COVID list.
That means that the three forwards, who were all part of the four-player COVID list addition that led to two postponed contests, will be available to the Bruins for both Wednesday night’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena and Thursday’s meeting with the New York Islanders at TD Garden.
Thursday’s contest will be the first Bruins game at TD Garden with fans in attendance since a Mar. 7, 2020 meeting with the Lightning, and that will indeed remain the case despite the team’s recent COVID issues.
Pastrnak’s return will likely take him to the back of Boston’s first line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, while Krejci and Smith are expected to reunite on the B’s second line.
BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 18: Craig Smith #12 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at KeyBank Center on March 18, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
It’s uncertain if that line will have its left wing, Jake DeBrusk, back with them, as DeBrusk remained in the COVID protocol as of Wednesday night. That means that DeBrusk is ineligible to practice tonight, leaving him with almost no time to get his conditioning up to speed and back in the lineup for Thursday’s contest.
Sean Kuraly, the first B’s player to land on the list during this recent outbreak and who Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy ruled out on Tuesday night, also remains on the NHL’s COVID list.
The Bruins will practice at Warrior Ice Arena at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night.
