Bruins' DeBrusk out 4 weeks due to hand injury, reported broken fibula
The Boston Bruins won the Winter Classic, but they suffered a significant blow in the process.
Jake DeBrusk sustained a hand injury and what the team called a lower-body ailment in the team's 2-1 win at Fenway Park. He's expected to miss approximately four weeks.
It was reported Wednesday that he sustained a fractured fibula.
The Bruins placed DeBrusk on long-term injured reserve, meaning he is required to miss at least 10 games and 24 days of the NHL season.
The winger was the star of Boston's outdoor victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring two third-period goals on Monday. However, he appeared to be laboring after Matt Grzelcyk's slap shot hit him just before he scored his first goal of the game.
Montgomery explained he didn't realize DeBrusk was hurt during the contest.
"I saw him wince when he took the shot (in the leg), but then he scored right after. … I used him in the last minute of play," the Boston bench boss said. "I was trying to get him his hat trick for the empty net. I did not have any issue or think that there was anything wrong, possibly, with him."
Montgomery also clarified that postgame comments he made referring to DeBrusk's toughness were about the forward's overall play and not the injury.
DeBrusk was on track for a career season with 16 goals and 14 assists over 36 games. Five of those tallies came in the last six contests. He'd missed only one game before the injury in 2022-23 and was on pace for 35 goals and 31 assists had he been able to play 80 games.
The 26-year-old was thriving on the Bruins' top line alongside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
DeBrusk collected 25 markers and 17 helpers across 77 tilts in 2021-22. He's in his sixth campaign with Boston. The Bruins nearly traded him in November 2021 and then again in March, but he rescinded his request to be dealt in July.
Boston also recalled veteran forward Chris Wagner. The 31-year-old has nine goals and 11 points in 27 contests with Providence in the AHL. Wagner has played 359 games in the NHL - 185 with Boston - but has yet to appear for the Bruins in 2022-23.