Judge winger David Pastrnak was declared unfit to participate about 20 minutes before Thursday’s expected puck-drop time for Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, leaving the Bruins without one of the NHL’s top scorers.
Prior to the team’s arrival in Toronto, Pastrnak missed several practices back in Boston for the same reason.
Pastrnak played 24 minutes, 58 seconds in Wednesday’s double overtime victory over Wednesday’s double, scoring the league goal in the first period and scoring the primary assist on Patrice Bergeron’s winner.
Several broadcasters, including NESN, speculate that Pastrnak may harm himself jumping from joy to Bergeron’s goal. On video, Pastrnak can barely be seen landing, with his feet pointing outwards at 45 angles. He was in obvious discomfort, staggering and exhaling with a worried look as he performed with his happy teammates.
No Pastrnak last night, maybe there seems to be an abdominal injury of sorts, you can see here where he celebrates the overtime anniversary that he grabs his site #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/VzXSZfVTIR
– Petrov McGuire (@McguirePetrov) August 13, 2020
The Bruins had an optional skate in Toronto on Thursday morning. Pastrnak was spotted stretching with several teammates in a photo, posted by the Bruins, of players at BMO Field, the football stadium in the NHL bubble in Toronto.
Take it outside. 🙆♂️ #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/d9tqDHJzys
– Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 13, 2020
Anders Bjork will replace Pastrnak on the right flank, skating with usual first liners Bergeron and left winger Brad Marchand. Karson Kuhlman replaced Bjork on the third line.
