Blümel and Tufte Make Bruins Debut Against Hurricanes Tonight

BOSTON –– The Boston Bruins will introduce new players to their lineup on Monday as they are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden at 7 p.m. The team has recalled forwards Matěj Blümel and Riley Tufte from their AHL affiliate in Providence.

This move comes as veterans Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt are placed on injured reserve due to lower-body injuries. Additionally, defensemen Charlie McAvoy will not play tonight following a puck to the face during Saturday’s game in Montreal.

During a morning skate, Blümel and Tufte prepared for their season debuts. Tufte expressed optimism about the opportunity, saying, “We’ve been playing well down there in the minors. You obviously don’t like seeing injuries up here, but it gives me a chance to show what I can do.” Tufte has performed well in Providence, scoring 16 points in 13 games this season.

Tufte’s size, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 233 pounds, positions him on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mikey Eyssimont. He added, “Keeping it simple is key for us, especially as a fourth line. We want to avoid getting scored on.”

Blümel, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Bruins in July, had a notable training camp, accumulating 13 points in 13 AHL games. He is expected to play on the second line alongside Alex Steeves and Pavel Zacha. “I want to play the right way and contribute offensively, too,” he stated.

Both players have been eagerly preparing to hit the ice. “Zacha is a great player and staying with him helped me get to know the team better,” Blümel said.

The Bruins enter the game with a strong record of eight wins in their last ten outings, the latest being a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Canadiens. The team aims to maintain its momentum against the Hurricanes, who currently hold a record of 12-5-1.

Despite their recent success, the Bruins face a challenge with their roster being banged up. However, they hope to leverage their recent performances against Carolina, having defeated them 2-1 earlier this month.