Before another grueling playoff run begins, the B's are hoping to get some key players healthy to fortify a roster that could use some more bodies.
Nathan Horton has been out with concussion issues and has not played since January. Horton was having a solid season with 17 goals and 15 assists in 42 games before sitting.
Horton was a crucial cog in the Bruins' Cup run last season, netting the game-winning goal in Game 7 against the Canadiens and Game 7 against the Lightning. The Bruins can certainly use his offensive firepower as they hope to pull off a repeat bid.
With Horton's status for the remainder of the season very much in question, the Bruins were hoping for Rich Peverley to help pick up the pace. Unfortunately for the B's, Peverley went down with a knee injury and has missed time since February.
Peverley had nine goals and 29 assists before missing time, and could possibly play at some point during the team's upcoming three-game West Coast swing. Peverley was an important role player during the Stanley Cup playoffs last season and will provide valuable depth if Horton cannot return.
The latest big injury came in the form of Tuukka Rask who left early against the New York Islanders earlier this month due to a severe lower abdominal injury. While Tim Thomas was expected to take the starts in the playoffs to begin with, Rask's injury has forced Thomas to take more starts during the stretch run of the regular season, a problem the Bruins were trying to avoid.
With Marty Turco still knocking some rust off — and his ineligibility for the playoffs — Rask has proven his value to the franchise. If it is possible for him to be healthy by the time the playoffs role around, the B's might be wise to let Rask start a game or two and let Thomas get some type of rest, although the young goalie's status for the remainder of the season remains somewhat unclear.
Which injured player is most important to the Bruins' Stanley Cup run?
