Bruins lose two defenseman in divisional win
The Bruins had an early win of the year candidate last night. The Panthers who ended the Bruins historic season in round one last year came into the TD Garden and quickly went up 2-0.
The Bruins were nearly doubled up in shots on goal after the first period. After that though, the Bruins tied it on goals from Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. The game went to overtime and Boston won on an unassisted goal from Pavel Zacha to improve to 8-0-1 on the season. Unfortunately, the win did not come without any losses.
Already playing with only six defenseman on the active roster, the Bruins lost Matt Grzelcyk to an upper body injury about midway through the first period. McAvoy also got a match penalty which lead to him being ejected as he lifted his shoulder into Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s head as he McAvoy skated by in front of the net.
With a match penalty, McAvoy will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety for possible today for possible further discipline. McAvoy does not have reputation of being a dirty player, but as seen by the video it is a blatant cheap shot that I would guess will likely cost him at least two games.
Postgame head coach Jim Montgomery said that he thinks Grzelcyk would be out a couple weeks. For McAvoy, his time will be determined by the league. There has been no corresponding moves announced yet, but it would not be a surprise to see Ian Mitchell recalled and Mason Lohrei called up to make his NHL debut.
Mitchell will continue to go back and forth as the seventh defenseman. He last appeared on October 22nd against the Anahiem Ducks where he got an assist with 9:59 of ice time. The call up of Lohrei has been anticipated since he was sent down after a strong training camp.
Since being sent down to the AHL, Lohrei has four assists in seven games, including one in each of his last three games. He is a plus two on the young season. The 22 year old is the Bruins top defenseman prospect after being drafted in the second round in 2020. He currently leads all Providence Bruins defenseman with 12 shots.
The Bruins have another tough divisional clash against Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Matthews leads his team with seven goals on the after getting 40 last season. Through eight games, the Maple Leafs have 11 points with a 5-2-1 record.
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