Bruins Recall Mikey Eyssimont to Replace Injured James Hagens

Bruins Recall Mikey Eyssimont to Replace Injured James Hagens

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The Boston Bruins begin a four-game homestand this Sunday, welcoming the Florida Panthers to TD Garden for a 1 p.m. puck drop.

Fresh off a three-game win streak, the Bruins look to maintain their momentum against a formidable Atlantic Division rival.

The stakes for the week are clear, according to Bruins head coach Marco Sturm. “It’s a big week for us,” Sturm said, as reported by 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.”

The Bruins are facing their first injury wave of the season, forcing shifts in the forward group. Forward James Hagens will be sidelined for a “few weeks” following a lower-body injury sustained in the third period of Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh.

To bolster the lineup, the team recalled Mikey Eyssimont from Providence. Eyssimont enters the matchup leading the AHL with 13 goals through eight games, a stretch that includes three hat tricks. He is projected to skate on the second line alongside Morgan Geekie and Fraser Minten.

“I know he had a really good camp, he had a really good season so far in the minors,” Sturm said of the 30-year-old forward. “The good thing with him is he’s been an NHL player for such a long time. He knows the deal.”

The team’s depth will also see the return of Matt Poitras. The 22-year-old forward missed the previous game after suffering a broken nose from an elbow during Monday’s contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. Poitras is slated to return to the fourth-line center position between Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic, with Sean Kuraly drawing out of the lineup.

Further adjustments include Marat Khusnutdinov moving to the third line to play with Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt. According to Saturday’s practice rushes at Warrior Ice Arena, there will be no changes to the defensive pairings.

Sturm expressed confidence in the group’s preparation for the heavy matchup ahead. “I think the guys are looking forward to the challenge we have coming up starting today,” the coach noted. “Hopefully it’s gonna turn out good.”

Worth a look

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