The Boston Bruins’ chaotic week continued heading into Saturday’s matchup with the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Granted, the Lightning didn’t have former Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov. Nor did they have the uber-skilled Brayden Point.
The Bruins, however, had a laundry list of players out, including their top left-winger in Brad Marchand (suspension) and their best defenseman in Charlie McAvoy (non-COVID-19 illness). Another emerging defenseman in Jakub Zboril also found his way on the injured list after sustaining a lower-body ailment during Thursday’s 2-0 win in Nashville.
The Bruins also didn’t have Bruce Cassidy (COVID protocol) behind their bench and Anton Blidh (upper-body) on their fourth line.