Bruins center Curtis Lazar injured in Game 5 loss to Islanders
As if things were bad enough following a frustrating 5-4 Game 5 loss at TD Garden, it’s entirely possible that the Bruins may be entering a do-or-die Game 6 without fourth-line center Curtis Lazar.
Injured in the second period on a hit against the Islanders’ Adam Pelech, replays appeared to show Lazar’s left leg twist in a rather uncomfortable position, and Lazar hobbled back to the Boston room without putting much pressure on that leg.
Curtis Lazar went down the tunnel after this hit on Adam Pelech: pic.twitter.com/GNEyelI4iK
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) June 7, 2021
The Bruins quickly ruled Lazar out for the remainder of the game, and there was no update on Lazar following the loss.
Boston’s second-best faceoff man this postseason (Lazar’s 54.6 percent success rate is second only to Sean Kuraly’s team-leading 57.1 percent), the 26-year-old Lazar has arguably been the best part of Boston’s fourth line, with 32 hits and four blocks to go with that faceoff prowess.
If Lazar is unable to go for the team’s must-win Game 6, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy’s top two options would be Jake DeBrusk and Trent Frederic. Going to DeBrusk would be an attempt to reignite DeBrusk’s game (and the only spot he’s had success this postseason) after he was a healthy scratch for the first time this postseason in Game 5, while a turn to Frederic would see him jump into action for the first time this postseason. In both instances, Kuraly would move to center.
Game 6 will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.
The officials went way against the Bruins on Monday night. But it was far from Boston’s only problem.
Listen above to hear Matt Dolloff and Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub break down the Bruins’ 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders in Game 5 Monday night at TD Garden. Although the egregious officiating will be perhaps the main topic for most, Boston’s defense and goaltending also was not nearly good enough.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.