Kuraly to COVID list
Rask could return to net on Saturday
Sean Kuraly was the latest Bruin to land on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list and he had to be scratched from the B’s tilt against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Arena on Thursday.
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
When word of Kuraly’s positive test became known, the Bruins’ scrapped their morning skate, as did the Sabres after a member of their hockey operations had to enter in the protocols list. For a few hours it was unclear if the game was even going to be played. In fact, there were a couple of erroneous reports that the game was in fact postponed. But after additional rapid testing and contract tracing, the game was allowed to go on as scheduled.
As usual, the coaches and equipment staff had gotten to the rink in the morning before any of the players and had to vacate when news of Kuraly’s positive test was learned. Cassidy said that everyone was retested at approximately 3 p.m. and it wasn’t until about 4:45 p.m. that they got the word that they could head to the rink for the game.
“We’re all told basically we had to get out of here,” said coach Bruce Cassidy of the morning’s proceedings. “Players were waiting to see what the instructions were. So we retested again. We’re used to testing, that’s nothing new. A little late arrival to the rink. Again, we’ve had to change our routine earlier this year. I think the players are used to a little disruption because it’s happening so often with the lineup… Most of the lines will stay the same as we start, so that should be a positive. Hopefully we’ll get a better look at Oskar Steen. … I suspect our guys will be ready. Obviously Buffalo on the other side is going through some changes on their staff (former coach Ralph Krueger was fired on Wednesday). I think teams go through it at different parts of the year. We’ve had our share of different things throughout the year and I think our group s very resilient. Good leadership, great leadership group, should be able to get the guys focused and ready. We’re here. The rest of the group all tested (negative) so that’s good news.”
Charlie Coyle and Jake DeBrusk both missed games earlier this month after false positive tests. Cassidy took the fact that all the other tests came back negative as a good sign that Kuraly’s test was also a false positive but added that, even if that was the case, he wasn’t sure if all the required retesting could be done in time for him to practice on Friday and be ready for Saturday’s game.
Kuraly’s fourth line, a new combination with Trent Frederic and Karson Kuhlman, was coming off one of the better games of the year from that unit, but Cassidy shrugged off any potential frustration. Greg McKegg was slotted in Kuraly’s spot.
“I’m not frustrated. We try not to make excuses injuries and whatnot. We’ve got other good players that we’ll put in. McKegg came in the last time in New York (on February 28), the only game he played, and he gave us a lift,” said Cassidy. “You lose a guy that did have good game with his linemates the other night, but you’re putting in a guy that’s been there. We’re looking forward to seeing what he has. We haven’t seen a lot of him.”
As t turned out, McKegg scored the first goal of Thursday’s game at 2:56 of the first period.
Ahcan makes debut
Cassidy had no definitive update on Jarred Tinordi, who suffered what appeared to be a head injury on a hit from Pittsburgh’s Brandon Tanev on Tuesday. But the coach did say he didn’t expect him to be available for Saturday’s road trip finale against the Sabres.
Making his NHL debut in Tinordi’s spot on Thursday was 5-foot-8, 185-pound Jack Ahcan, signed as a free agent after four years at St. Cloud State.
He had a goal and six assists in 12 games at Providence. In 17:56 of ice time on Thursday, he played with no discernible fear. He landed three shots, but also got caught up ice a couple of times and had the puck taken from him on occasion.
“He was involved in the game, good and bad at times,” said Cassidy with a chuckle. “But I like that. I like a player who is willing to be assertive. First NHL game, guys can be tentative and he wasn’t. He’s going to have to learn guys are stronger and quicker here, they’ll strip you of pucks. I like the fact he was ready to go offensively, knows what his strengths are, he needs to be involved on the rush, he needs to be active at the O-zone blue. I did not notice a lot without the puck in terms of his battle, so we’ll take a closer look at that. But with the puck, he certainly wants to impact the game.”
Ahcan is the 12th defenseman the B’s have used this year.
Injuries, etc.
Cassidy sad Tuukka Rask, out since suffering an apparent back injury on March 7, has a shot at playing on Saturday.
“If he gets through (Friday’s) practice and feeling 100 percent, then Saturday would certainly be an opportunity for him to start. But we’ll have to see how he feels Saturday when he wakes up,” said Cassidy.
Though he had thought Kevan Miller may join the team on the road, Cassidy said the defenseman did not. Miller has been out since Feb. 18 when his troublesome right knee flared up.