Max Pacioretty finds it difficult to let go. At the conclusion of the first period of yesterday’s game, veteran left-winger for the Washington Capitals was speared by Boston Bruins blueliner Matt Grzelcyk.
Following the blow, Pacioretty fell onto his stomach, rolled over again, and clutched his stomach as he fought to stand. As he stepped off the ice, he was bent double.
Injuries are nothing new to Pacioretty. After sustaining an Achilles tear on January 19, 2023, while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes, he was placed on long-term injury reserve for over a year. He returned to the Capitals on January 4 of this year.
A few days later, on January 7, while playing against the Dallas Stars, he sustained a lower-body injury, and he didn’t return until February 7.
When facing the Capitals, the Bruins were unable to muster any resolve. Against a squad that isn’t even in the postseason picture, they lacked offensive punch. In this league, you won’t win many games with just eighteen shots.
Eleven shots were blocked by both sides on defense.
The Capitals, on the other hand, got off to a fast start offensively, led by players Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin, as well as an assist and a shot on goal from Pacioretty.
Pacioretty has six assists in his last ten games despite his ailments.
Charlie Lindgren, the goalie for the Capitals, recorded his third shutout of the year.
The goaltending for the Bruins wasn’t awful, though. Even though the final goal was an empty-netter, Jeremy Swayman’s save % was still.926. The Capitals attempted 27 shots, nine more than the Bruins, but he stopped 25 of them.
Ultimately, the Boston Bruins supporters jeered their own team off the court.
At this point, it’s unclear how long Pacioretty will be sidelined.