Less than an hour before puck drop, the Boston Bruins announced that star winger David Pastrnak will not be in the lineup (unfit to play) for Game 2 of their First Round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Pastrnak played more than 24 minutes in the Bruins’ double overtime Game 1 win on Wednesday, scoring a goal and adding an assist.
Even if it is a short-term thing this could be a potentially massive loss for the Bruins as he is not only a key part of their dominant top line (alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand), but he is also one of the league’s top offensive players.
He finished the 2019-20 regular season tied with Alex Ovechkin for the league lead in goals (48). His 155 goals since the start of the 2016-17 season are third most in the league during that stretch, trailing only Oveckin (181) and Auston Matthews (158).
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In other Game 2 news, the Hurricanes will be getting forward Justin Williams and defenseman Sami Vatanen back in the lineup after both players missed Game 1 of the series on Monday.
Carolina will also be starting James Reimer on the second half of the back-to-back.
Boston is sticking with regular starter Tuukka Rask.
No. 4 Boston Bruins vs. No. 5 Carolina Hurricanes (BOS leads 1-0)
Wednesday, Aug. 12: Bruins 4, Hurricanes 3 (2OT) (recap)
Thursday, Aug. 13: Carolina at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – NBCSN
Saturday, Aug. 15: Boston at Carolina, 12 p.m ET – NBC
Monday, Aug. 17: Boston at Carolina, 8 p.m. ET – NBCSN
*Wednesday, Aug. 19: Carolina at Boston – TBD
*Thursday, Aug. 20: Boston at Carolina – TBD
*Sunday, Aug. 23: Carolina at Boston – TBD
*if necessary
MORE:
• Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round schedule
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Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.