With Game 5 looming between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs , the Bruins saw some progress from four of their injured players. The Bruins are one win away from advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs and it seems like their depth will be getting a huge boost. Two defensemen and two forwards are either ready to return to the lineup or will be available for duty soon, which would give Head Coach Jim Montgomery more matchup options as the postseason continues.
Defenseman Derek Forbort has been practicing with the team and is not available to return to the lineup if the team sees fit. The Bruins placed Forbort on long-term injured reserve in early March after he underwent surgery on two significant injuries, according to Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. At the time, Sweeney thought Forbort’s season was in jeopardy, and the veteran blue liner was told by surgeons it would be a lengthy recovery. Forbort played in 35 regular season games and was a plus-8 and provided solid shot-blocking and penalty-killing.
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Forward Justin Brazeau had a short yet productive stint with Boston toward the end of the season, totaling five goals and two assists in 19 games. However, on April 2, in a road win over Nashville, Brazeau suffered an upper-body injury and has been out since. On Monday, Brazeau was a full practice participant with a regular jersey and is ready to return to the lineup if needed. The 26-year-old winger’s 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame could be useful as the Bruins face heavier competition.
Defenseman Andrew Peeke has been out with a hand injury that was suffered in Game 2 of the Bruins’ series with Toronto. One of the team’s best penalty killers, Peeke, has been missed but did skate on Monday at Warrior Ice Arena before the team practiced. The defenseman, who was acquired from Columbus before the trade deadline, is still considered week-to-week.
Forward Matt Poitras who has been out of the Bruins’ lineup since early February when the 19-year-old had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. General manager Don Sweeney said the team’s medical staff recommended the procedure rather than have Poitras continue to play with an unstable shoulder and risk further damage that was caused last season with the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League. Poitras is out for the season but did skate with Peeke both practice on Monday.
The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series three games to one and play Game 5 in Boston at TD Garden Tuesday night. The Bruins had a similar advantage in the first-round last season versus Florida before dropping three straight games, which ended their historic season.
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