The Boston Bruins have prided themselves on depth throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But that depth is about to face its toughest test yet.
Captain Zdeno Chara became the latest wounded Bruins defenseman Monday night in Game 4 when he took a puck to the face that rendered him unable to talk. Chara's status for the rest of the Stanley Cup Final is uncertain, but if he and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk both can't go in Game 5 (Kevan Miller and Chris Wagner both are likely sidelined for the series), Boston will need to dig deep into its bench Thursday at TD Garden.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy's first order of business in Chara's absence would be reshuffling his defensive lines to pair a top left D-man (possibly Torey Krug) alongside top right defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
But that reshuffling will have a trickle-down effect, and the B's will need to call up at least one new face. Here's what they're working with.