Coach Jim Montgomery didn’t have many details about Justin Brazeau’s injury, but it’s clear that he won’t be playing for the Bruins anytime soon.
Montgomery said the large winger went back to Boston to see doctors.
“We’ll have a more detailed report for you (Friday) on how serious it is and how long it will take, but for now, it’s week-to-week,” Montgomery told reporters in Raleigh as the B’s prepared to play the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Brazeau was hurt on Tuesday when he was hit by Luke Schenn of the Nashville Predators while carrying the puck through the neutral zone. He went to the bench holding his right arm close to his side and immediately went to the dressing room and did not return.
It would be unfortunate for the 26-year-old Brazeau if he can't participate in the B’s playoff. After going undrafted from the Ontario Hockey League, where he scored 61-52-113 points in his final year with the North Bay Battalion, he was in his fifth season of minor league hockey – with time in both the AHL and ECHL – when the B’s signed him to his first NHL contract on February 18 and brought him to the big squad.
Mainly playing on the fourth line, Brazeau scored a goal in his NHL debut and had 5-2-7 points in 19 games while playing on the second power-play unit and getting bumped up in the lineup late in games. With Pat Maroon still working his way into the lineup after back surgery on February 7, Brazeau’s size and scoring ability will be missed….
Jeremy Swayman was set to play against the Hurricanes on Thursday, and Montgomery said that he’s very comfortable continuing to rotate between him and Linus Ullmark as they head into the playoffs, due to their strong performances.
“Our current schedule allows us to stick with the goalie rotation, as we play every other day and then have three days off,” Montgomery said. “But it’s the position where we have the most strength. Right now, both have won crucial games on the road. Swayman won in Florida and (Washington) and the other guy has been exceptional. We're in a great, healthy situation. There's no need to change anything.”
Nothing is definite, and Montgomery may change his mind. He said he might shake things up soon. If he continues with the rotation, Swayman would start against Carolina on Thursday and the following Tuesday at the Garden, with Ullmark playing Saturday’s game against Florida.
“We may switch things up so we see both guys against certain opponents,” said Montgomery.
While Swayman secured important wins against the Panthers and Capitals, Ullmark has been especially strong since the trade deadline, boasting a 4-2 record with a .950 save percentage….
After being benched in Nashville, Matt Grzelcyk was expected to return to the lineup alongside Andrew Peeke. Parker Wotherspoon, who was benched in seven of the previous 11 games, was set to make a comeback on a pairing with Brandon Carlo. Mason Lohrei and Kevin Shattenkirk were going to be scratched.
Due to Brazeau's injury, Jakub Lauko returned to play on the fourth line with James van Riemsdyk and center John Beecher.
