Torey Krug expected to make season debut in Carolina

BOSTON — So much for that looming logjam on the Bruins’ blue line.

For the third straight game, the B’s may have barely enough defensemen to play on Tuesday night at Carolina — and that’s with one player almost certain to come back from injury.

Torey Krug, who has missed the season’s first 11 games with an ankle injury, is expected to make his 2018-19 debut, but his return coincides with the potential [...]

BOSTON — So much for that looming logjam on the Bruins’ blue line.

For the third straight game, the B’s may have barely enough defensemen to play on Tuesday night at Carolina — and that’s with one player almost certain to come back from injury.

Torey Krug, who has missed the season’s first 11 games with an ankle injury, is expected to make his 2018-19 debut, but his return coincides with the potential for second-year defenseman Matt Grzelcyk — who has handled most of Krug’s roles so far — to miss his first game of the season.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy, who had six defensemen on the ice for Monday’s practice and four others (Grzelcyk, Charlie McAvoy, Kevan Miller, Urho Vaakanainen) hurt, said Grzelcyk suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday against the Canadiens, and “did not feel great (on Sunday), couldn’t practice (on Monday), so he’s doubtful” against the ’Canes.

“On the flip side, Torey Krug practiced full, and when I left the ice he was fine, so I would expect him to go in.”

As of Friday, when Krug participated in his first full practice and McAvoy (upper-body injury) skated with other injured players, the Bruins seemed poised to have more defensemen than they could carry. Grzelcyk’s injury, combined with what may be at least a pause in McAvoy’s recovery, potentially leaves them with only the minimum six on Tuesday — and they had to recall Jeremy Lauzon from AHL Providence on an emergency basis on Monday just to reach that level.

McAvoy, who will miss his fifth game, last played on Oct. 18 — one week after suffering the injury in an Oct. 11 game against the Oilers that he wasn’t able to shake, and on which details have been limited. He skated on Friday with Miller (hand) and forward David Backes (also upper body), but didn’t skate or practice or skate on Monday.

“I don’t have much further news for (McAvoy),” Cassidy said.

“I’m not sure if this is planned or a setback. If he doesn’t skate tomorrow, then clearly he’s had a setback. Usually they’ll only keep you out for a day or two if they don’t want to push it.”

Krug, the power-play quarterback coming off career-highs in goals (14), assists (45) and points (59), hasn’t played a meaningful game since he fractured his ankle in Game 4 of last year’s second-round playoff series against the Lightning, on May 4. The current injury, unrelated to the fracture, occurred on Sept. 29, in his second preseason game.

“It’s been a long time,” he said. “I’m interested to get back into a routine, and try to remember whatever I’ve done to prepare for games.

“I’m excited to be part of the group again. That’s the biggest part. You come to the rink when the guys are on a road trip, you’re watching them compete and play, and all you want to do is help them out. Everyone’s working towards a common goal, and you want to be part of it.”

Krug doesn’t expect to be at full speed at first, and continued maintenance on his ankle will be required.

“I don’t feel 100 percent,” he said. “I feel about as good as I can for the circumstances.

“I’m going to feel this way for probably a little bit now, and it’s up to myself and the medical staff to continue to make sure I feel comfortable enough to play. You just want to get out there and try to feel as good as you possibly can.”

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Backes, whose injury is believed to be related to a check to the head that limited his play for the remainder of the Oct. 18 game in Edmonton, was cleared for contact in Monday’s practice, but will miss his fifth game on Tuesday. “With David, we want to be sure,” Cassidy said of Backes, who has a concussion history. “We don’t want to send him back in there until he’s 100 percent. That’ll be a mutual decision between medical staff and player.” It’s hoped that Backes will be cleared to play for Saturday’s game at Nashville.