by Bob Morello
Bruins injuries mount
Friday night’s game will be number two in the team’s current four-game road trip, including games versus Anaheim this past Wednesday, Los Angeles Kings (10:30pm) on Friday, San Jose Sharks (8:00pm) on Sunday, and finally the New York Islanders (7:00pm) on next Wednesday. Boston’s current available player list has recently become similar to Mass General Hospital, but under the adjusted heading of ‘MASH’ General Hospital. Heading into Monday night’s 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the team injury report placed: Forwards Viktor Arvidsson (return listed as week to week) and Casey Mittelstadt on Injured Reserve, defenseman Jordan Harris on Long Term Injured Reserve, with Elias Lindholm still out of the lineup since October 30 due to injury – he has recently returned to practice with the team. This warranted Providence Bruins call-ups forwards Matej Blumel and Riley Tufte to fill the spots in the lineup. The result was Tufte’s first Bruins goal, scored with ten seconds remaining in the 3-1 loss to Carolina, avoiding Boston’s first shutout loss this season. The loss put to an end goaltender Jeremy Swayman’s five-game win streak, it also noted a scary injury to Charlie McAvoy, who took a puck to the face when hit by a Carolina shot. McAvoy left the game, and did not return…he is currently being diagnosed, with the possibility of surgery, and was not expected to be on the road trip. The loss to Carolina was disappointing, following the team’s powerful 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens last Saturday on Montreal’s home ice. That latter win came despite the lack-of-discipline play by the Bruins, who were fortunate enough, to have strong penalty killing to negate their lack-of-discipline play, and notch the win.