Pastrnak a game-time decision for Bruins-Hurricanes Game 3

After missing Game 2 of the Bruins-Hurricanes series Thursday, winger David Pastrnak may also miss Game 3. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins star David Pastrnak a game-time decision for Game 3 vs. Hurricanes

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/14/20

Bruins winger David Pastrnak was deemed "unfit to play" in Boston's Game 2 first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, and he may also miss Game 3.

Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy revealed that Pastrnak will be a game-time decision for Saturday's Game 3 against Carolina, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan.

"He was getting treatment -- unfit to participate," Cassidy said. "We don't believe it will be long term. That's a day-to-day thing, we hope. So, obviously, targeting Saturday at noon ... because it's tough to test it, get out skating on a morning skate type of thing. So, it'll probably be right down to the game time again on Saturday."

People are speculating whether or not the 24-year-old suffered an injury when celebrating Patrice Bergeron's Game 1 overtime winner to hand Boston a 4-3 victory. You can see Pastrnak jump and proceed to double over in pain afterwards.

Did Pastrnak re-aggravate his injury celebrating Bergeron's goal? Watch 88 the entire time. https://t.co/NZem6ivulH
— Carolyn Mooney (@caramooney) August 13, 2020

While it's just speculation, it certainly is a good theory as to why the winger was kept out of Thursday's game. It also likely wasn't a coronavirus-related issue as Pastrnak could be seen watching Game 2 in the stands on the NESN broadcast.

With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 is set to get underway at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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