Losers of five straight -- failing to notch a single point over that stretch -- the Boston Bruins are desperate for wins as they begin a four-game road swing that begins in Toronto on Saturday.
But they’ll have to start that trip without trade deadline pickup John-Michael Liles.
Liles, who’s averaged over 19 minutes a game since joining the B’s in early March, suffered a lower-body injury in last night’s loss to Florida and won’t travel to Toronto with the club.
The veteran blueliner was injured in a collision near the end of the second period. He didn’t return to start the third, and the Bruins were quick to rule him out for the remainder of the contest.
Should Liles miss extended time with this ailment, Joe Morrow and Zach Trotman would be the two likely candidates to replace him in the lineup.
Boston is still sitting third in the Atlantic Division, but is just one point up on Detroit -- and the Red Wings head into Friday night’s action on the outside of the playoff picture entirely.