DeBrusk, Grzelcyk Return to Practice as B's Get Set to Hit Road

BOSTON - Matt Grzelcyk was just like the rest of us last week.
The blue liner, sidelined by an injury, was watching from his couch as the Bruins stormed back with four consecutive third-period comebacks against the Capitals and Flyers. He enjoyed rooting on his teammates from back in Boston, but it certainly was not the same as being able to experience the thrills in person.
"I know it's really exciting to play in those games," said Grzelcyk. "I'm really excited watching on TV, really happy to see everyone's hard work pay off and have the success that we've had. You get a little riled up even though you're just watching on NESN from the couch."

Grzelcyk was itching to be out there with his Black & Gold brethren and it appears that it won't be long before he returns to game action. The 27-year-old, along with fellow injured Bruins Jake DeBrusk and Jack Studnicka, was back on the ice for practice on Monday morning as the B's prepared for their upcoming road trip to New York.
"I feel really good," said Grzelcyk, who has missed the last four games. "It's tough not being able to go on the road trip but I was just trying to do as much as I could without having any sort of setbacks this past week. Feeling really good physically. Got a good practice in today. We'll see how it goes, but [being back on Wednesday is] certainly what I prepare to do."

DeBrusk has missed five straight games with a lower-body injury but said on Monday that he feels "100 percent" and is aiming to be ready when the Bruins visit the New York Rangers on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
"The medical staff kind of put me at a medium pace, was one of those things that with COVID and different travel [policies], it's a little bit harder," said DeBrusk, who along with Grzelcyk had been skating for several days at Warrior Ice Arena with the team on the road.
"Was trying to make that Saturday game against Buffalo, but obviously with everything going on it got postponed so it gives me a couple of extra days to practice with the team and feel 100 percent getting into it. But I feel 100 percent. I feel ready to go."
DeBrusk skated on the left wing with Charlie Coyle and Anders Bjork during Monday's practice, putting him back on his natural side. The winger had been playing on the right with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand before his injury and has yet to find a home on any one line through his six games this season.
"That's kind of been my MO, playing the left side, the right side. It's one of those things where you want to get back in the lineup and help anyway you can," said DeBrusk, who has played the majority of his career with David Krejci. "I've played with both C.C. and Bjorkie…I played with C.C. a little bit toward the end of last year and kind of have a familiarity with him. Obviously different players. It's one of those things where I don't think I've really played with Krech this year.
"One of those interesting years with lines…just looking forward to playing…I think everyone in this room would agree that we're all confident in each other and our abilities. I'm excited to just get back on the ice no matter who I'm with."

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said that the lines he crafted for Monday's skate had as much to do with trying to drag some more even-strength scoring out of the group as it did with reintegrating DeBrusk back into the lineup. Studnicka, donning a maroon non-contact jersey, did not take lines rushes.
"We're getting Jake integrated…5-on-5 scoring has improved, but still got to get some guys going," said Cassidy. "We moved some pieces around without trying to disrupt too much. Had conversations with Charlie Coyle and Krech and how it was working out with their wingers, we've used different guys.
"Coyle at times has preferred speed on his line, so we've mixed and matched with him. We're trying to build 5-on-5 scoring into our group and we knew that we'd have to mess around with some lines early on so here we are.
"We'll see how these work out on Wednesday and go from there."
On the back end, Connor Clifton - who filled in admirably for the injured Grzelcyk during the road trip - is likely to be the odd-man out on Wednesday night in New York with Cassidy saying he has been pleased with the work of young blue liners Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril thus far.
"Well, the good news is the guys on the left side have been solid so there's been no discussion, 'Hey, they're not ready, they're not handling it, they're regressing,'" Cassidy explained. "They've certainly had games where they've been better than other night. But for the most they've been fairly consistent."

McAvoy Leaves Early

Charlie McAvoy collided with Trent Frederic during a 3-on-3 drill at the end of Monday's practice and left the ice in some discomfort. Per Cassidy, the blue liner appears to have avoided any major damage but did chip a tooth, which required a trip to the dentist.
"I think he chipped a tooth, otherwise he was fine," said Cassidy. "We'll have an update later today. Hopefully he's good to go tomorrow."

Another Game Postponed

The Bruins' schedule was altered once again on Monday as the NHL continues to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks. Boston's game against the New Jersey Devils scheduled for February 15 at TD Garden was postponed, making it the third contest involving the Bruins to be affected in the last week. No make-up date has been announced.
The B's also had games against Buffalo scheduled for Feb. 6 and Feb. 8 at TD Garden postponed and re-scheduled for March 27 and April 13.

Monday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Nick Ritchie - David Krejci - Craig Smith
Jake DeBrusk - Charlie Coyle - Anders Bjork
Trent Frederic - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
Anton Blidh/Jack Studnicka
DEFENSEMEN
Jeremy Lauzon - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Jakub Zboril - Kevan Miller
John Moore - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak