Torey Krug to Make 2018-19 Debut in Carolina

RALEIGH -The news that Matt Grzelcyk would miss action with a lower body injury marked the fourth time in the young season that the Bruins would be down a blue-liner. In addition to Grzelcyk, Kevan Miller, Charlie McAvoy and Urho Vaakanainen have suffered various ailments, forcing the Bruins to ice 9 different defenseman through 11 games.
On Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes, the B's will be getting some positive news on the back end, as Torey Krug will make his return. Given the depleted nature of the back line, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy noted that Krug may not have the luxury of being eased back into action.

"With some younger guys in the lineup it's going to be tough to work him in," said Cassidy. "He's probably going to have his full work load - which he'll be happy about. It's just missing that much time, we'll have to manage and make sure he can handle it."

For his part, Krug is trying to keep things simple for his first game of the 2018-19 season.
"Really simple game early on," said Krug. "Short, five-ten-foot passes. Try to stay away from those long ones and obviously get back on those pucks quick and make your plays from there."
Krug had worked his way back from a broken ankle injury in the playoffs against Tampa only to suffer an unrelated injury to the same ankle in his first preseason game of this season.
"I feel better right now to be honest than I did before the first preseason game," said Krug. "From a comfortability standpoint, making plays, skill wise I feel better. Skating is probably going to be the last thing that comes, and I'll continue to work on that. The feeling before that first preseason game - now it's no room for mistakes out here. We're fighting for points every night so a little bit more on the line.
"I've said all along throughout this whole process, there is nothing that compares to playing a game. You just have to get out there and do it when you're medically cleared. That's the start of the process for me now."
Cassidy reiterated the need for Krug to see game action.
"Every day, jostling and battling for pucks in practice, playing a game schedule, you can't replicate," said Cassidy. "It's just difficult. You have to play. Going back on pucks, getting hit. When he came back he was just starting that process. I think he's starting over a little bit. I think this is like game one for him essentially from last year. He missed the end - well only a couple of games. But for him like I said that's why we have to keep an eye on him, expect some level of rust."
Bruins assistant captain Patrice Bergeron is excited for Krug's return.
"He's a big difference," said Bergeron. "He's a difference maker when he's on the ice. Especially on the power-play. He is the quarterback and he kind of makes the plays and stuff happen out there. Really happy to see him back and he looks great out there."

The 27-year-old will look to provide an offensive boost for the B's coming off a shutout loss to the Canadiens.
"Obviously it's no secret that depth scoring has been an issue for this team," said Krug. "It's been a lot of fun to watch Bergy's [Patrice Bergeron's] line. Like I said, there have been times when we're playing really well, simple hockey. Then there's times where we get ourselves in danger. It will be a good test tonight. We are playing a great team. If we can go simplify things, we'll have a chance to win."
Against Carolina, Krug will lineup on the second pairing alongside offseason acquisition John Moore.
"He's a great skater," said Krug about Moore. "He gets up and down the ice, moves the puck pretty well so hoping that I can add to my advantage knowing I'm going to have good support all over the ice and play confident."
Moore is also looking forward to the added element of playing next to Krug.
"A lot of mobility, a lot of puck moving ability and obviously offensive talent," said Moore. "I just want to make sure I'm making his job easy, getting him the puck in good spots and again, simplifying the game. It's been a couple weeks here since his preseason. He's a great player so it'll be seamless out there."