Krug Set for Preseason Debut vs. Devils

BOSTON - The preseason has not been kind to Torey Krug over the last two years.
In 2017, the blue liner took a deflected puck to the face in the second exhibition contest, causing him to miss the season opener with a non-displaced jaw fracture. And last fall, Krug was once again sidelined when he suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale, forcing him to miss Boston's first 11 regular-season games.
"Preseason hasn't always been my friend," said Krug. "The last two years in preseason games I've found myself sidelined. Years before that I was always still competing for spots and ice time and trying to make an impression on people within this locker room and upstairs.
"It's a little bit different now, it's kind of just fine tuning for the regular season while making sure that you're sharpening things up."

Given his recent exhibition history, as well as Boston's lengthy postseason run last spring, Krug has eased into training camp and will make his preseason debut on Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden.
"Always excited, looking forward to getting back into game action," said Krug. "Just trying to get back out there, shake off some rust and get your timing back. Hopefully get you ready for the regular season."
Krug hopes that his approach to this camp will allow him to get off to a better start come the regular season.
"I hope so," said Krug. "Still not out of the woods yet, there's a couple games left. I would really hope that coming into the year fully healthy - although with a little fog from last year - I would hope that would lead to a fast start not just for myself individually but for the team as well."

Lauko to Providence

Bruins forward prospect Jakub Lauko was assigned to Providence on Wednesday morning. The 19-year-old impressed during his preseason stint with the big club, picking up a goal and an assist in three games.
Lauko electrified the TD Garden crowd during Monday's exhibition win over the Philadelphia Flyers, showing off his patented speed with a stellar individual effort on the game's opening goal.
The Czech native will take part in the P-Bruins training camp for the time being before a final decision is made about whether or not he heads back to Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL.
"He's gonna start [in Providence], at least for now," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "I think they're gonna see how it plays out over the next little bit. I think it's trending that way, but that will be [Bruins general manager Don Sweeney's] call when the roster has to come to in a couple weeks."

Should Lauko make the cut in Providence, it would mark the 2018 third-round pick's first stint in professional hockey. Lauko had 41 points (21 goals, 20 assists) in 44 games for Rouyn-Noranda last season - his first campaign in North America - while helping the Huskies to the Memorial Cup title.
"We thought he competed fine here with men," said Cassidy. "But you're talking six, seven months - not one month. I liked what I saw from my standpoint, but Donny will probably talk to [Director of Player Development] Jamie Langenbrunner, who followed him closer last year, to figure out what's best."
Defenseman Josiah Didier, signed to an AHL contract over the summer, will also report to Providence.

Cehlarik Sidelined

Winger Peter Cehlarik missed practice for the second straight day because of a lower-body injury. Per Cassidy, the 24-year-old will be off the ice for two or three days.
Cehlarik has played in two preseason games, picking up a goal in Boston's 3-1 win over Philadelphia last Thursday.

Wednesday's Projected Lineup

Anders Bjork - Par Lindholm - David Backes
Danton Heinen - Trent Frederic - Karson Kuhlman
Paul Carey - Jack Studnicka - Oskar Steen
Ryan Fitzgerald - Pavel Shen - Zach Senyshyn
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Jeremy Lauzon - Steven Kampfer
Jaroslav Halak
Max Lagace