Flu bug threatens availability of Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron, Linus Ullmark and more for Game 1
Even if you’re not remotely superstitious: the Boston Bruins’ stroke of bad luck, hours before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin, feels downright eerie, giving power to the Presidents’ Trophy curse.
The Bruins enter their opening-round matchup with the Florida Panthers as massive favorites, having set single-season NHL records for wins (65) and points (135) in a season. But the playing field may be slightly levelled for Monday’s Game 1 at TD Garden thanks to what is being reported as a “gastrointestinal bug.”
The flu, which has quickly made its way through the team, is threatening the status of multiple Bruins regulars, including first-line center and captain Patrice Bergeron and both Bruins goalies, Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. As summarized by Bruins reporter Ty Anderson:
To recap…
– Bergeron is gametime decision.
– Ullmark is gametime decision.
– Swayman, who missed practice yesterday with illness, took part in optional morning skate.
– Bussi up from Providence as emergency third.
– Foligno likely to play.
– Forbort is definitively in.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) April 17, 2023
Prospect Brandon Bussi, who had a stellar season with AHL Providence, has been called up as an emergency third goaltending option in case the Bruins are short in net. He has never played an NHL game. it appears Ullmark is in more danger of missing the game than Swayman. That would be an unfortunate blow for the Bruins after Ullmark delivered what is likely to be a Vezina Trophy-winning regular season, leading the league in wins (40), goals-against average (1.89) and save percentage (.938).
On the bright side, it sounds like second-line center David Krejci is trending toward returning from his lower-body injury in time for Game 1. Same goes for forward Nick Foligno and defenseman Derek Forbort, who have both been nursing lower-body injuries of their own. Forbort will play for sure, while Foligno has a chance to return.
The Panthers, meanwhile, aren’t full healthy to open Round 1 either. Center Sam Bennett continues to nurse a groin injury. While he won’t play in Game 1, there’s a chance he returns to action for the Panthers later in the series.