Pastrnak, Vatrano Could Make Returns on Upcoming Trip

BOSTON- The Bruins have been frustrated for some time with their lack of ability to cash in on their offensive opportunities. Those frustrations were at a peak on Tuesday night against the Islanders, when the Bruins landed a season-high 50 shots on net in a 4-2 loss.
Boston, which begins a quick two-game road trip on Thursday night in Florida, has been searching for answers to their goal-scoring troubles. And they may get them on the upcoming trip with young sharpshooters David Pastrnak and Frank Vatrano lined up for a possible return to game action.

Pastrnak has missed the last two games after having the olecranon bursa removed from his right elbow. Vatrano, on the other hand, has yet to play this season following surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left ankle just ahead of training camp.
"Either guy could, yeah," Bruins coach Claude Julien said, when asked if the two would play on the trip. "There's no sure shot answer to that. We still have to make sure everything is OK before that happens."
Pastrnak returned to practice for the first time since the procedure on Wednesday morning and appeared unimpeded during the optional session.
"I feel good. The trainers did a good job. I'm back and I feel good," said Pastrnak. "It's always tough to watch games from the top. You want to play and you don't want to spend any time injured. I'm happy I'm back on the ice. I missed two games, it could be worse. Always can be worse, so happy I'm back."
Vatrano was recalled from Providence on Monday after scoring two goals in two games with the P-Bruins (he now has 38 goals in 38 career games in the NHL). The second-year winger did not play against the Islanders on Tuesday, but feels ready to get back in the lineup.
"Anyone who comes back from injury is always excited, whether it's Providence or here," said Vatrano. "I just want to get into as many games as possible. Obviously I wasn't in the lineup [Tuesday] night, but I wouldn't take it as a negative.
"They want me to be read when I'm ready. I want to make sure I'm ready when I step in. I don't want to be rusty at all. I want to make sure I'm up to the challenge when I'm back in the lineup."

Opposing View: Florida Panthers

Boston's pre-Christmas road trip begins on Thursday night (7 p.m. EST on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub) with a tilt against the Florida Panthers. It is the third meeting between the teams this season, with Boston having won both previous contests, including the most recent on Dec. 5 behind Pastrnak's two-goal performance, which included a highlight-reel tally to clinch a 4-3 victory in overtime.

The Panthers have won two straight and are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over Buffalo on Tuesday. Legendary winger Jaromir Jagr (1,887 points) tied Mark Messier for second on the all-time scoring list with an assist on Nick Bjusgtad's tying goal late in the third.
The former Bruin would move into sole possession of second place with a point against Boston on Thursday night.
The Panthers are paced by Aleksander Barkov, who leads the team with 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists), followed by Jonathan Marchessault (20) and Jagr (19).
Goalie Roberto Luongo is 11-9-3 this season with a 2.42 goals against average and .918 save percentage this season.

Wait, There's More

• David Backes, Patrice Bergeron, Brandon Carlo, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, Torey Krug, Brad Marchand, and Dominic Moore took their options on Wednesday morning and did participate in the on-ice portion of practice.
• Anton Blidh notched his first career goal against the Islanders Tuesday, when he threw the puck on goal from the left halfwall. But it has been the young winger's grit and energy that has been most impressive. "He's drawing some penalties, and for the most part staying out of the penalty box," said Julien. "I think if you're smart about it and he does a good job I have no issues with that. If anything, I like his game. "He's forechecking, he's one of those guys that's going to go to the front of the net. I keep talking about that in every press conference I have, is our net-front presence - well, he's not afraid to go there. I like that. "Sometimes doing those things really ticks off the other team."