Carlo, McAvoy inch closer to return on ‘D’
It seems each time the Bruins get positive injury news, they suffer another setback. Kevan Miller was playing well in his return from a broken hand before suffering a throat injury and will miss the next five weeks. BRUINS NOTEBOOK While his departure from the blue line hurts the B’s depth even more, another pair of defenders might be back soon. Brandon Carlo is inching closer to a return, which could occure tomorrow night against Detroit. The blueliner skated with the team and was a full participant in yesterday’s morning skate, and while he wasn’t ready to go against the Islanders, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was pleased with his progress. “He’s close,” Cassidy said. “He’ll get another good practice in (today) and take some contact, and hopefully (tomorrow’s) the day.” Charlie McAvoy participated in practice yesterday morning, but donned a red sweater and still isn’t taking contact. He’s getting closer to seeing his first game action since early October, but there’s still a ways to go. “I haven’t spent a lot of time with him every day because that can get monotonous for the both of us,” Cassidy said. “He seems to be in decent spirits, it shows me he’s in a good place mentally in that regard and gradually getting better. I think if he was taking steps back every day we’d see that side (being frustrated) but we haven’t.”
Welcome back
Ryan Donato was in the lineup last night for the first time since Oct. 30 at Carolina. He started on the third line with Joakim Nordstrom and Noel Acciari. There was some discussion of putting Donato with David Krejci, but with the chemistry Danton Heinen has shown on that wing, Cassidy kept things status quo with the top six forwards. “I think Danton’s done a nice job, that line in general has done a nice job and he’s been a part of it,” the coach said. “So he gets first crack. First crack, right, then once the puck drops we’ll move things around as need be.” Donato compiled nine points in 10 games with AHL Providence.
Bjork sent down
Anders Bjork was sent to Providence yesterday afternoon. He played in 20 games with the Bruins and produced just three points. Bjork injured his shoulder midway through last season and didn’t get in game action until the end of the preseason, when he showed flashes. He’s struggled to get ice time and has been mired in the bottom six forwards, serving as a healthy scratch in two of the last three games. Bjork hasn’t scored since Oct. 13 and has been without a point since getting an assist against Vegas on Nov. 11. He has just four shots in his last four games, and has been relegated to some of the fewest minutes of any forward each night.