The B’s depth will be tested as they will take the ice without their experienced regular players for puck drop at 1 p.m.
David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha will not play, head coach Marco Sturm said. They are both dealing with injuries and are listed as day-to-day.
“It’s pretty easy because we’ve done it before. I just told the group, I’m not worried at all because we’ve done it before as a group with a lot of people,” Sturm said. “As long as we play with our structure – especially without the puck – we’ll be good.”
Georgi Merkulov was recalled from Providence and will be in the lineup against the Rangers. The 25-year-old forward has posted 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 17 AHL games this season. Merkulov has played a total of 10 NHL games with the Bruins over the past two seasons, after signing with the team as a free agent in 2022.
Casey Mittelstadt will make his return on Friday. The forward last played on November 6 and had been battling a lower-body injury since then. Mittelstaedt had nine points (four goals, five assists) in 15 games before the injury. Riley Tufte is also re-entering the lineup to fill a bottom six role.
Sturm said of Mittelstaedt, “Hasn’t practiced with the group yet, but because we’re short today, Zacha and David will be out. So we need him.”
Other roster transactions included Michael Callahan being assigned to Providence, and Matej Blumel being placed on long-term injured reserve after leaving Wednesday’s game in the first period.
Friday is the first of three meetings between the Bruins and Rangers this regular season.
“They had a rough start, but they’ve been pretty good lately. Very good on the road. Slowly getting their guys back as well,” Sturm said. “We know how they are, and it’s always a challenge. It’s good to play with Rangers as a rivalry, especially at home.”
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