Jake DeBrusk to miss next two games
DeBrusk has scored 10 times this season.
The ever-expanding M*A*S*H list of injured Bruins on Saturday added the name of Jake DeBrusk, the second-year winger is feeling ill — with symptoms often related to a concussion — which will keep him out of the lineup this weekend.
“Came in yesterday and was not feeling well, and was not feeling great during the Tampa game (Thursday), said coach Bruce Cassidy. “So right now, can only speculate. We know he got hit in the back of the head with the puck in Toronto (Nov. 26)….but played…so right now we are waiting for him to come and let us know where he’s at.’’
DeBrusk was scratched for the Saturday night Garden matchup with the Leafs and will not suit up for Sunday’s 5 p.m. start in Ottawa. The club likely will be off Monday, which means the next update on DeBrusk, 22, likely won’t be until after Tuesday’s day-of-game skate (Arizona in town).
DeBrusk, who has scored 10 times this season, took friendly fire Nov. 26 in Toronto, a short-range snap shot by linemate Danton Heinen nailing him low on the back of the helmet, near the base of his skull at the 10:44 mark. DeBrusk missed a shift, but did player later in the night.
Heinen’s shot came moments after DeBrusk, jostling for position at the left post, was upended at the top of the crease as Heinen ripped into a chance for what could have been the tying goal.
“Hopefully he feels better when we see him next,’’ said Cassidy, following his squad’s late-morning workout in Brighton. “Physically not feeling well. Once we have an update from him, we’ll update you.’’
Earlier the same night in Toronto, the Bruins lost the services of veteran defenseman Kevan Miller, who was rushed to a local hospital when a puck rode up his stick and struck his throat in the final seconds of the first period. Miller suffered damage to ligaments in the throat area and is not expected back for the remainder of the month.
In a freefall in the standings, dropping from fifth overall to 15th in the last two weeks, the Boston lineup has been decimated of late, leaving team captain Zdeno Chara (wrenched knee) and Patrice Bergeron (ribs/collarbone) also hors de combat for extended stays—likely through December.
With DeBrusk (10-2—12 through 28 games) the latest casualty, Cassidy in the morning practice moved David Krejci, the center on DeBrusk’s line, to a No. 1 trio with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.
The Bruins entered the night mired in a season-worst three-game (0-3-0) losing streak, clinging to the second, and last, wildcard playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 14-10-4 (32 points).
As of the morning of Nov. 26, the Monday after Thanksgiving, they had 30 points and were tied for fifth (with Colorado and Minnesota) in the league’s overall standings. Their 1-3-0 record since that morning dropped them 10 rungs down the ladder to No. 15, tied with Minnesota and Edmonton.
