Eyssimont Makes Season Debut As Bruins Try To Replace Hagens Against Panthers

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins (12-4-1) return home Sunday afternoon and host Atlantic Division rivals, the Florida Panthers (9-6-2) inside TD Garden.

The Bruins will be without star rookie James Hagens for Sunday's game and for at least the next two weeks.

The young forward landed on injured reserve after Samuel Girard cross-checked him in the small of the back, triggering the undisclosed injury.

Boston recalled Mikey Eyssimont from Providence, where his stat line is more ridiculous than anyone would've thought. In 8 AHL games, Eyssimont has 13 (!!!) goals and 16 points.

That includes a natural hat-trick on Friday against the Hamilton Hammers to lift the P-Bruins to a come-from-behind victory.

Eyssimont slots in on Boston's second line, alongside Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie.

Marat Khusnutdinov drops to the third line, in place of Hagens next to Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt.

Matthew Poitras returns to the lineup after a one-game absence due to a broken nose suffered last weekend at home. Sean Kuraly exits the lineup.

Defensively, Boston will keep things the same.

Jeremy Swayman starts in net for Boston.

Jacob Markstrom gets the nod for Florida, who are on the second half of a back-to-back with travel, where they lost 4-3 to the Washington Capitals Saturday afternoon.

Anton Lundell is a game-time decision for Florida.

Confirmed Bruins Lines:

Forwards:

JJ Peterka - Pavel Zacha - David Pastrnak

Mikey Eyssimont - Fraser Minten - Morgan Geekie

Casey Mittelstadt - Elias Lindholm - Marat Khusnutdinov

Tanner Jeannot - Matthew Poitras - Mark Kastelic

Defense:

Hampus Lindholm - Charlie McAvoy

Nikita Zadorov - Will Borgen

Frederic Brunet - Mason Lohrei

Starting Goalie:

Jeremy Swayman