Krug, Johansson Likely to Return Tonight

The Boston Bruins are getting healthy at just the right time. Torey Krug and Marcus Johansson are both likely to return to the lineup for tonight’s clash with the Rangers.

Krug’s return would be a particularly timely one for the Bruins. Fellow Boston defenseman John Moore was ruled out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Moore suffered the injury in Monday’s game against the Lightning.

Krug has not played since March 12 due to a concussion. He is expected to be paired with Brandon Carlo, while Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy make up the remainder of Boston’s top-four blue-liners. With 48 points in 59 games this season (0.81 PPG), Krug is enjoying his most productive season to date. Krug will re-assume his position as the quarterback of Boston’s No.3-ranked power-play. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy also said today that defensemen Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body) and Kevan Miller (upper-body) are probable to return this weekend.

After being acquired from New Jersey at the trade deadline, Johansson played just four games with Boston before suffering a long contusion on March 5. He tallied just one assist and four shots in those four games, though he only played 0:59 in the fourth game before suffering the injury. He is expected to skate alongside David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk on Boston’s second line tonight. Johansson has 12 goals and 16 assists in 52 games this season.

Johansson’s return would allow Boston to drop Charlie Coyle down the lineup to centre the third line. He’ll skate with Danton Heinen and Chris Wagner, while Joakim Nordstrom, Noel Acciari, and David Backes make up line four.