Krug Game-Time Decision; Julien Declares Krejci Out vs. Devils
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins will be without their top-line center when they host the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, but there's a chance they could get one of their injured defensemen back for the game.
Boston head coach Claude Julien declared center David Krejci out for Monday night's game as he deals with a lingering hip injury. Krejci played in last Thursday's 5-2 win over Edmonton and logged over 16 minutes of action, his first game back after missing two straight games. But he missed practice on Friday and Sunday and sat out Monday's morning skate, and will now miss his sixth game this season when the puck drops Monday night.
While Krejci is out, there remains the possibility that defenseman Torey Krug suits up and plays for the first time suffering a broken left pinky back on October 28. Krug has missed the last four games but was declared a game-time decision against the Devils on Monday morning. A Monday return would put the blue liner a day ahead of the two-to-three-week timetable that was announced when he went down.
Krug said a Monday night return was "realistic" following Sunday's practice.
"It's something that we've just got to talk about and make sure I feel comfortable with it, the coaches feel comfortable," he told reporters on Sunday. "It's going to be a group decision."
Krug added that he underwent surgery to have stitches put in the broken finger, and said it was the first major surgery he has dealt with in his career. He admitted to still feeling pain while practicing, but has been encouraged by his recent progress.
"Every time I'm on the ice I feel better about it," said Krug, who has two goals and four assists in 11 games played this season. "It's good so far."
Injured defenseman Kevan Miller also took part in Monday's morning skate for Boston, but Julien offered no update on his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.
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