BOSTON – The Bruins started their second-round playoff series relatively healthy and they hope that is still the case after David Krejci was knocked out of Game 1 late in the proceedings.
Krejci exited Boston’s 3-2 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period after absorbing a big hit from Riley Nash at the defensive blue line and didn't return for the rest of the third period or OT. Coach Bruce Cassidy said following the win that Krejci was “day-to-day” with what appeared to be an upper-body injury after his right shoulder absorbed most of the contact in the forceful collision.
Cassidy also confirmed that Krejci had not suffered a concussion, which is good news for Boston considering how key No. 46 is to the Bruins' chances of going on a long playoff run this spring.
“He didn’t finish the game. We saw that. I would rule him as day-to-day for now. First thing someone said was well is he in [concussion] protocol – no, it’s not a concussion. He got hit,” said Cassidy. “He left the game, and by the time he was available to come back, the game was over. So we’ll see how he is in the morning. Hopefully, have an update for you then if it’s anything more serious than day-to-day.”
The nature of Cassidy’s comments sounded a hopeful tone that Krejci would be okay after missing some key moments in Game 1.
Krejci finished with four shot attempts, a blocked shot and 8-for-12 on face-offs in 15:36 of ice time and was denied an assist on a beautiful feed for a first-period Charlie McAvoy one-timer that Sergei Bobrovsky somehow kept from going into the net.
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