Jack Studley reports Mikey Eyssimont was not at Bruins practice this morning, one day after a hat trick in Hamilton.
Eyssimont was recalled from Providence when James Hagens went on injured reserve, after Hagens took a cross-check to the lower back in Pittsburgh Thursday night. Boston won that game 6-2.
Studley noted that there was no sign of Eyssimont at practice, even though he scored three goals last night in Hamilton.
Those three goals were a natural hat trick in 1:43 in a 5-4 win, and he now has 13 goals this season. Over his NHL career he has 33 goals in 269 games, but he hasn't played one for Boston this year.
Jim McBride confirmed the roster move and said he hadn't spotted Eyssimont at practice either.
The reason for his absence is unknown. Travel from the AHL game is the obvious guess, but nothing confirms it, and the Bruins haven't said.
Who fills James Hagens' spot against the Panthers
The hole is real. Hagens has 6 goals and 6 assists in 17 games this season, and James Hagens on learning from Elias Lindholm showed how much the rookie was soaking up in this room.
Based on the practice lines, Matthew Poitras now skates on the second line between Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie. The sheet lists Poitras as day-to-day with a nose injury, so that group is worth watching.
Nobody in the lineup at practice is Eyssimont. A three-goal night in Hamilton makes a nice story, but a group that has won three straight doesn't need to be torn up because of it.
The Bruins are 12-4-1 and first in the Atlantic Division, and they're 7-1-0 at home.
The Panthers are 9-5-2 and visit Washington today before coming to Boston. Here's how the Bruins plan to lean on Pastrnak and home ice on Sunday. Until Eyssimont shows up or the team explains, Hagens' spot stays the open question before that game.
Quick hits
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSMark Masters reports Sergei Bobrovsky was in the starter's net at the optional skate and appears set to face the Canadiens tonight. No surprise there, and the crease looks settled.
WASHINGTON CAPITALSSammi Silber says Logan Thompson starts in goal today against the Panthers, with no other lineup changes. Nothing fancy from the Capitals.
CAROLINA HURRICANESCory Lavalette reports Pyotr Kochetkov is in the starter's crease tonight against the Blackhawks after morning skate.
INJURYNHL Rosters reports Anton Lundell won't play today as the Panthers visit the Capitals. He's considered day-to-day, so Florida goes without him in Washington.
MINNESOTA WILDMichael Russo reports Michael McCarron is questionable for tonight against the Lightning after he did not finish the Wild's win over the Sharks.
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Mikey Eyssimont stuns Hamilton with a natural hat trick