Bruins Went From Bad To Worse By Shaun Petipas

Image via SportsNet

The Boston Bruins continue to struggle with more and more cases of COVID-19 as Thursday morning another three Bruins were added to the NHL COVID-19 protocol. Trent Frederic, Anton Blidh and Jeremey Swayman were those added to COVID-19 protocol prior to the morning skate ahead of the Islanders game Thursday morning.

The Bruins in response called up goaltender Kyle Keyser and forward Jesper Froden. The Bruins expected to field a full roster but just 30 minutes to puck drop another Bruin Oskar Steen was added to the COVID-19 protocol. The Bruins entered the game without a full roster as they needed to remain cap compliant and only were able to put 11 forwards on the bench. 

Bruins forward Nick Foligno said it best as he worded it “A nightmare situation.”

The Bruins went on to lose against the Islanders 3-1, in a game that probably shouldn’t have been played with so many players missing for the Bruins and the Islanders still feeling the effects of COVID-19 earlier this season. 

The Bruins have another trip to Canada this weekend to face the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadians, but the NHL has already released a statement that tomorrow’s game in Montreal has been postponed. The Bell Centre had already been closed to fans for their game as they have dealt with COVID-19 as well. 

Who knows what the NHL will do for the game in Ottawa or Carolina in the upcoming days but with many teams suffering from COVID-19 and actually playing shorthanded it might be a good idea for the NHL to think about bringing back the Taxi Squads that allowed for a number of players to travel with the team in case of an outbreak occurring like this.