Marchand Lands on COVID List

BOSTON - The Bruins were without their leading scorer on Saturday afternoon as Brad Marchand landed on the COVID protocols list ahead of the matinee victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Marchand joined Jake DeBrusk and Sean Kuraly, both of whom have remained on the list for over a week.
"We'll see how it plays out," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of Marchand, whose status for Sunday's game against the New Jersey Devils is unknown. "Some of them like [Charlie] Coyle and [Jake DeBrusk earlier this month] have come right off, others have stayed because they obviously tested positive."

Bruins assistant coach Kevin Dean is also away from the team after having a close contact.
"He's getting the weekend off. I'm not sure when he's cleared," said Cassidy. "That will be a testing issue. He will not be with us [on Sunday]. So, Joe Sacco took over [coaching the defensemen] like the old days back there."

Kuhlman Gets Good News

After leaving Thursday's game against the Islanders, Karson Kuhlman appears to have avoided any serious injury. The winger blocked a shot with his left hand in the third period of the overtime loss, but an MRI revealed no structural damage.
"Obviously, some issues holding a hockey stick right now," said Cassidy. "So, he'll be listed as day-to-day."

Carlo Getting Closer

Brandon Carlo, out since suffering an upper-body injury on a high hit from Washington's Tom Wilson on March 5, has continued to skate on his own or with the B's other injured players. The blue liner could join the full group for practice on Monday.
"Carlo skates with the injured guys, will continue to do that," said Cassidy. "Hopefully joins us Monday. We'll have a better idea then. We'll see what our practice looks like Monday. He will not play [on Sunday]."

Lauzon Returns

Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon suited up on Saturday for the first time since fracturing his hand on Feb. 16 during the B's win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Lake Tahoe. Lauzon was not expected to play after Cassidy's comments on Friday but ended up making his return against the Sabres and played 18:32 with three blocked shots and a plus-1 rating.
"I talked with Lauzy after [Friday's practice], and he felt that he was ready to play," said Cassidy, who originally labeled Lauzon out for Saturday's matinee. "We weren't sure. Medically he was cleared. We weren't sure if he had enough practice time. We decided to go that route. So that one, I gave you some misinformation [on Friday] when you asked. But we made that decision after, so that was the decision with him versus [Jarred] Tinordi."

Wait, There's More

Jaroslav Halak will get the start in goal on Sunday afternoon against the Devils at TD Garden. Tuukka Rask, injured in the first period of his return to the lineup on Thursday night, was expected to be out of the lineup through at least the weekend.