More help could be on the way back for Bruins
The Bruins could get another player out of the trainer’s room and back into action Saturday, with defenseman Brandon Carlo considered a game-time decision for the matinee tilt with the Penguins.
The potentially good news on Carlo, who left Tuesday’s loss to the Blues after just one period of play, comes after the 6-foot-5 defender participated in Friday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena.
“We’ll see how [Carlo] is in the morning,” B’s coach Bruce Cassidy said. “But [he] practiced today, so that’s a good sign.”
If deemed ready to go for the 12:30 p.m. start at TD Garden on Saturday, Carlo’s return would reunite Boston’s second pairing, as Matt Grzelcyk returned to the Black and Gold’s lineup Thursday night against the Senators.
The Grzelcyk-Carlo pairing has been the B’s most-deployed pairing in 2021-22, with over 520 minutes of five-on-five play together. In that 520-minute sample, the Bruins have outshot the opposition 286-228, and outscored opponents 21-15.
A Carlo return would also leave the Bruins with just three players working their way back from injuries, with winger David Pastrnak, defenseman Hampus Lindholm, and goaltender Linus Ullmark all slated to miss Saturday’s contest. The good news for Pastrnak and Lindholm is that Friday came with both players on the ice at Warrior Ice Arena before practice.
Ullmark, meanwhile, will be considered day-to-day after leaving Thursday’s loss after taking a slap shot square in the head.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. 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.
