Adam McQuaid Returns to the Bruins Lineup

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After being out for the past 18 games due to a broken thumb, Adam McQuaid finally found himself back in game action as the Boston Bruins faced the Ottawa Senators during an afternoon matinee. He last appeared in a game on November 18th before he underwent surgery due to the injury.

The Ottawa Senators topped the Black and Gold in overtime today thanks to a Bobby Ryan game winner by a final score of 3-2. Although the Bruins lost, they still came away with a point and a healthy team for the first time in a while.

In his first game back, McQuaid didn’t appear to be rusty. He wasn’t perfect in his first game back, but he can only improve from here. He was partnered on the blue line with Dennis Seidenberg and played for 17:26 minutes of the game. McQuaid brought to his ice his typical snarky, fearless, physical and rough attitude. He wasn’t afraid to throw punches like always and the Bruins played physical around him. Along with his 17:26 ice time today, McQuaid also saw himself four minutes in the sin bin as he was called for both minor roughing and delay of game penalties. He was a -1 on the ice, had 2 hits and blocked a shot.

McQuaid is someone that the Bruins rely on to play physical every time he is out on the ice. He’s a strong defender and a big rough body. It is clear that the Bruins have missed having him play despite the fact that McQuaid has been rather injury prone for the past few seasons.

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For the first time in a long time, the Bruins are healthy. It is crucial for the Bruins to stay that way. They can no longer afford to lose many games and if they do, they’ll find themselves out of playoff contention. It is time to make up ground in the standings as it becomes halfway through the season. The number of games remaining in the season is quickly dwindling down. There is limited time for mistakes.

With the Bruins healthy it is crucial that they start playing somehow. It is clear that the whole team is frustrated by their lack of play as of late and their inability to not be able to finish out games. A healthy team can hopefully start to turn it around. Injured players can no longer be used as an excuse.

Adam McQuaid returning to the lineup is a start. His feisty personality will hopefully spark the rest of the team to find their spunk and start to play. The Bruins next go on to face the Hurricanes, Penguins, and Devils at home. It is time for them to start buckling down and for the entire team to put their heads together, find a way to play the full sixty minutes and eventually win every game possible before it’s too late.

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