The Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers for a 1 p.m. puck drop at TD Garden on Sunday, opening a four-game homestand while riding a three-game win streak. Head coach Marco Sturm noted the stakes of facing an Atlantic Division rival, though the team must manage several roster adjustments due to injuries.
Why does this matchup matter right now?
The Bruins enter Sunday’s contest looking to build momentum against a heavy division opponent while managing their first injury challenges of the season. Boston Bruins officials reported that the team is currently holding a three-game win streak as they kick off this four-game homestand at home.
Head coach Marco Sturm highlighted the significance of the matchup within the division. It’s a big week for us,
Sturm told BostonBruins.com.
Being at home and getting challenged against a really good opponent… being in the division too, a game like today it’s got to be exciting. If not, then we have a problem. I think the guys are looking forward to the challenge we have coming up starting today. Hopefully it’s gonna turn out good.
Mikey Eyssimont will make his season debut as the #NHLBruins host the Florida Panthers in a matinee at @tdgarden. 📰 Sunday's Pregame Rundown: https://t.co/eVCpEzO6jI pic.twitter.com/9kcXelzuOf
Who is stepping into the lineup amid new injuries?
Boston will play without forward James Hagens, who BostonBruins.com reported will be sidelined for a few weeks
after sustaining a lower-body injury during the third period of Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh. To fill the vacancy, the team recalled Mikey Eyssimont from Providence.
Eyssimont leads the entire American Hockey League with 13 goals through eight games, featuring three hat tricks. Sturm addressed the veteran’s readiness for his first NHL appearance of the season.
I know he had a really good camp, he had a really good season so far in the minors,
Sturm stated to BostonBruins.com.
He was very, very good. As I told him, I want him to be himself. Just play his game. He’s been around us and me long enough, he knows what I expect. Just want to have a good game out of him with a lot of energy against a very, very good and heavy team.
Projected to skate on the second line alongside Morgan Geekie and Fraser Minten, Eyssimont brings established NHL experience back to the active roster. The good thing with him is he’s been an NHL player for such a long time,
Sturm added to BostonBruins.com.
He knows the deal. Never had to deal with the minors for a long time. But I think he’s in a good spot and I can already tell he feels very good about his game and confidence. He’s very excited to be up.
Mikey Eyssimont is in the #Bruins lineup today on a line with Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie. Matt Poitras will center the fourth line with Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic. Jeremy Swayman gets the net vs. the Panthers.
What other lineup shifts are expected against Florida?
Beyond the second-line adjustments, Marat Khusnutdinov will shift to the third line alongside Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt, based on Saturday practice rushes at Warrior Ice Arena. Meanwhile, Matt Poitras returns to action after missing the previous contest due to a broken nose sustained from an elbow to the face against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
The 22-year-old forward slots back into the fourth-line center role between Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic, replacing Sean Kuraly in the lineup. Sturm confirmed that the defensive pairings remain unchanged, noting that Poitras is gonna be back where he’s most comfortable in the middle.
