With a league-low three games played, the Bruins are certainly well rested.
But that rest has not equated to health, as the Bruins continue to deal with an injury bug that’s now left winger Craig Smith questionable for Sunday’s matinee head-to-head with the Sharks at TD Garden.
Battling through something, perhaps even before Wednesday’s loss in Philly, Smith was held out of Thursday’s practice in Buffalo due to maintenance, and then demoted him down the lineup in Friday’s win over the Sabres.
Smith’s demotion had a little bit to do with his health, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed, and it was enough to hold him off the ice the next morning.
“He didn’t skate [Saturday],” Cassidy said following an optional skate. “We’re gonna leave him off [the ice] and see if that benefits him more for [Sunday].”
And the 32-year-old Smith, who sounds like a game-time decision, is not the only Boston skater dealing with an ailment. Cassidy confirmed that the team will remain without Nick Foligno, who underwent an MRI on Saturday, for Sunday’s contest. Foligno will be joined by Anton Blidh after the fourth-line wing suffered an upper-body injury in Friday’s victory.
Without enough healthy bodies up front, Jack Studnicka is expected to rejoin the Bruins. One of the final cuts from Boston’s training camp, Studnicka has one goal, one assist, and 10 shots on goal in three games with the P-Bruins this season.
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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.