Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed after Wednesday's Game 2 overtime loss that defenseman Matt Grzelcyk had been taken to the hospital for tests after getting hit in the head from behind by Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist late in the first period.
Cassidy said the team was still waiting for an update as of his postgame press conference.
Grzelcyk stayed down on the ice after the hit and needed help getting to the bench and down the tunnel to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
Matt Grzelcyk hurt after this hit from Sundqvist pic.twitter.com/pJqMFs6x0H
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 30, 2019Sundqvist only got a two-minute minor for the hit, but now the question is whether he'll receive a suspension from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Count Bruins forward David Backes among those who think one would be warranted.
"I don't think that's a hit we want in our game," Backes said. "I think it's from behind, elevated into his head, into the glass. If that's a two-minute penalty, there's going to be a shortage of defensemen I think in this series by the end of it. But that's in somebody else's hands. That's something I think if I'm making that hit, I'm probably watching from the bleachers for a few. But we'll see what happens with their player."
Brandon Carlo and Brad Marchand were a little more reserved in their reactions, but clearly didn't like the hit either.
"You can say a lot of different things about that," Carlo said. "I'd have to watch it over again. Definitely didn't like it in that regard. I thought he might've left his feet a little bit, and got his head pretty much for the primary contact. We'll see where it goes from there."
"I mean it is what it is. The video shows," Marchand said. "So we'll see which way the media spins it."
Sundqvist had no comment when asked about the hit after the game, saying, "I can't say anything."
Cassidy indicated that if Grzelcyk can't play in Game 3, John Moore would be the natural replacement as a fellow left shot. Moore has played in five games this postseason, but has struggled at times and would certainly be a step down from Grzelcyk's stellar play throughout the playoffs.
Cassidy also said he was frustrated that the Bruins weren't able to score on the power play following the hit and make the Blues pay.
"The hit on Grizz, that's one you want to score, you want to send a message," Cassidy said. "...We let opportunities slip away. That's frustrating for a coach when guys are paying the price to draw a penalty and then you don't at least generate momentum, so shame on us."
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