David Pastrnak’s Injury Looms Large as Bruins Search for Answers
When the Boston Bruins hit the ice at TD Garden last Friday to face the New York Rangers, fans were expecting a marquee matchup. What they got instead was a gut punch: both David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha were ruled out due to injury. The Bruins not only lost two key forwards before puck drop-they lost the game, too, falling 6-2 to a Rangers team that took full advantage of Boston’s depleted lineup.
After the game, head coach Marco Sturm didn’t have much clarity to offer. Zacha returned the following night against the Red Wings, but Pastrnak missed his second straight game. And when Boston faced New York again on Tuesday in the back half of the home-and-home, Pastrnak was still out-marking his third consecutive absence.
Sturm’s update ahead of that game didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
“I don’t think David skated today, but hopefully soon,” Sturm said. “I would say he would be, hopefully, the closest one.
We can’t flip it on with him, we’ve got to be careful with him. He’s not skating this week, so I don’t expect him to play this week.
He definitely needs a few practices out of it or even a few skates.”
Translation: Pastrnak’s return isn’t imminent, and the Bruins are feeling it.
What’s at Stake Without Pastrnak?
Let’s be clear-David Pastrnak isn’t just another top-six forward. He’s the offensive engine of this team, the kind of player who can tilt the ice and change a game with a single shift.
Without him, Boston’s scoring depth takes a serious hit, and it’s already showing. The Bruins have struggled to generate consistent offense in his absence, and with a tough road stretch looming, that’s a problem that could snowball fast.
Boston closes out the week with matchups against the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils before heading out for a three-game road swing against the Blues (again), Winnipeg Jets, and Minnesota Wild. That’s a gauntlet-especially for a team missing its most dynamic scorer.
If Pastrnak isn’t close to returning, the logical next step could be a move to injured reserve. That would open up a roster spot and give the Bruins a chance to bring someone up from Providence, but it also signals that this isn’t just a day-to-day issue.
Who Can Step Up?
So who’s next in line if Pastrnak remains sidelined? The Bruins have a few options in the AHL, but none are plug-and-play replacements for a player of Pastrnak’s caliber.
Georgii Merkulov was called up recently but returned to Providence on Sunday. That leaves names like Fabian Lysell and Matthew Poitras as potential call-ups.
Lysell brings speed and creativity, while Poitras has shown flashes of NHL readiness. But asking either to replicate Pastrnak’s production is asking a lot. At best, they can help fill in the gaps-but the Bruins will need a collective effort to keep their offense afloat.
A Tight Eastern Conference Race
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Eastern Conference playoff picture is already crowded, and every point matters. If Pastrnak’s injury lingers-and especially if it turns into a long-term absence-it could have serious implications for Boston’s postseason hopes.
This isn’t panic time yet, but it is a moment that demands attention. The Bruins are built on structure, goaltending, and depth, but Pastrnak is the player who can elevate them from good to great. Without him, that margin for error shrinks dramatically.
For now, all eyes are on his recovery timeline. Because as the Bruins grind through a tough December schedule, they’ll need their star winger back sooner rather than later if they want to stay in the hunt.