All eyes on Czarnik, Krug making debuts
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
There was nothing definitive yesterday on which injured/ill Bruins would be able to suit up for today’s matinee against the Colorado Avalanche at the Garden.
According to the eye test, though, Patrice Bergeron will take a seat on the ninth floor again, and there’s a good chance Torey Krug and Austin Czarnik will make their season debuts.
Bergeron (lower body) was the first on the ice for a workout with skating coach Kim Brandvold, but donned a red non-contact jersey once practice started and then left before the session was done. Krug, on the other hand, took his regular spot on the back end with Adam McQuaid and also on the first power-play unit. Czarnik, meanwhile, manned a third line with Matt Beleskey and Frank Vatrano. Both Krug and Czarnik finished the practice.
Krug deferred to the staff on the final decision, but said he feels good and has had no issues in practice with the broken jaw he suffered in the first preseason game. Still, he may have to work through some rust after such a long layoff. His season ended last year right before the playoffs because of a knee injury.
“Look, I’ve played one period in six months,” said Krug, “but I’ve been working really hard on the ice . . . and staying in shape in the gym. I feel up to speed, conditioning-wise. But I feel good on the ice. No timing issues so far.”
There’s no morning skate to test out whatever is ailing Bergeron, which would seem to make it even less likely he gives it a go against the Avs.
“Today was good to be on the ice on my own but then staying with the team. That’s a step forward. I’m feeling good, but we still want to be cautious,” said Bergeron, who also missed the first three games of last season with an ankle injury.
“It is frustrating, at any time. It doesn’t matter if it’s the beginning of the season or whenever. You never want to miss games. It’s tough to watch. I’d rather be on the ice. I’m more nervous watching than I am playing. Hopefully I’ll get back on the ice quickly.”
Czarnik, on the shelf for more than a week, said there weren’t any lingering affects from the virus he had. He only lost a couple of pounds and feels that won’t be a detriment.
“I’m feeling a lot better. It’s still day-to-day, so whatever they want to do, but I’m feeling good right now. Feeling confident,” said Czarnik. “I had a good skate today, no problems. I feel normal now and it’s headed in the right direction.”
Filling the void
Bergeron makes his bones as the league’s top defensive forward, but an underrated part of his game is how he’s almost perfected the bumper position on the powerplay. Cassidy tried Riley Nash with the first unit on Thursday and, in Sunday’s practice, David Krejci.
“It more or less came down to, ‘Do you want David Krejci out there, maybe not in his ideal position but with that (first) group if they’re out there for a minute and a half or do you want to spot him for 30, 40 seconds?’ ” said coach Bruce Cassidy. “That’s the discussion I had with Krech as well, because I don’t want to put him in a spot where he doesn’t feel comfortable. And having your best guys on the ice is perhaps more important than the structure of what you’re trying to do, you just hope they make their plays.
“There are pros and cons to it. I didn’t mind Riley Nash at all, but David’s used to being on the power-play and needs his time. That’s something he’s earned, so we’re going to try to fit him in there.”
Krejci played out high on the power-play most recently and has played the half wall, but the bumper spot in the middle is new to him.
“I’ve seen a lot of what Bergie can do there, especially last year, just sitting on the bench and watching so I have little idea of what to do in practice today, so hopefully I can help the team pick up some goals (Monday),” said Krejci.
Filling out the first unit were Krug out high, Ryan Spooner on the half wall, Brad Marchand at the net front and David Pastrnak as the shooter. The second unit consisted of Charlie McAvoy up top with four left shots — Frank Vatrano at the bumper, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork at the wings, and Matt Beleskey at the net.
There could be some opportunity today. The Avs (1-1) allowed five powerplay goals in their first two games . . . .
The last time the B’s beat Colorado at home was 1998, a span of 11 games.