Gresh & Zo: Dave Goucher Gives A Bruins Injury Update
BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Boston Bruins play-by-play man Dave Goucher joined Gresh & Zo Tuesday, as everyone gets ready for the playoffs to begin on Thursday.
While fans are getting a bit antsy with such a long layoff between the end of the regular season and the playoffs, Goucher said the Bruins will benefit from the rest. Even more so from the rest, the Bruins are in great shape thanks to the playoff road they traveled not just last season, but in the years before that as well.
"I think they've benefited greatly from everything they went through; not only last year… but they went through a lot as a team in '08, '09, and '10. To learn from that, and learn how big of a grind the playoffs can be," said Goucher. "One of the biggest things they took from last year was to just stay in the moment. That was a huge benefit to them. If you think about it, they were down 0-2 to Montreal, down 0-2 to Vancouver and they were never really affected by it. They never panicked and stayed with where they were at, at that moment."
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"When you look at the core of this team, that's been through what they've been through over the last 2-3 years, I think that puts them in good shape."
The Bruins have been dealing with some injuries, especially on the defensive front. Both Johnny Boychuk and Adam McQuaid missed time at the end of the season, and each are on a different path to the playoffs.
"I do think Johnny Boychuk is pretty close, and judging by practice yesterday, it wouldn't be surprised if he's ready for Thursday," said Goucher.
Boychuk was a full participant in practice on Monday and did the same on Tuesday. The news is not as good on Adam McQuaid though, who was taken out of the Bruins' game against Ottawa last Thursday, one game after returning from hit that caused a cut above his left eye against the Capitals.
"Adam McQuaid, maybe not as much just yet… I think for him, it's best to take a cautious approach," said Goucher. "I know originally he wasn't diagnosed with a concussion, but if they say he isn't feeling well then I don't think it's that much of a stretch to say there is some issue there."
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And while Goucher doesn't think backup goaltender Tuukka Rask will be ready for the beginning of the series, he doesn't sound too far from a return.
"Tuukka, I think is coming along well. I'm not sure if he's ready for Games 1 and 2. If that's the case, you move on from there. One of the things I liked was how Anton Khudobin played in his game when he got in the other night. I don't think they want to go down that road, but if they do I think they have some pretty good confidence in him. "
Goucher also breaks down the matchup with the Caps and why the Bruins could have their hands full with the talented, yet inconsistent. club.
Listen in to get geared up for the B's playoff run!
