With no games this weekend due to the All-Star break, the Bruins announced earlier this evening that forward Anders Bjork has been assigned to Providence. Bjork was recalled on Wednesday on an emergency basis after Brad Marchand received a five-game suspension from the league.
Bjork played 13:58 in his first NHL game since December 28, registering two shots on goal and two penalty minutes. Overall, the 21-year-old has four goals and eight assists in 29 games with Boston this season. Bjork was sent down to Providence on January 3 to regain his confidence after an ineffective stretch in December.
Bjork has appeared in eight games with Providence this season, tallying two goals and two assists. He has spent the majority of his time with the P-Bruins playing top-six minutes and seeing time on the power-play.
The P-Bruins have two more games to play before the AHL’s All-Star break commences. According to Mark Divver of the Providence Journal, Bjork will not be in Providence’s lineup tonight. However, yours truly thinks it’s very likely he finds his way into the lineup on Saturday.
Anders Bjork won't play for @AHLBruins tonight
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) January 26, 2018
This assignment also means that it is likely Noel Acciari will be healthy enough to play next week, as he missed yesterday’s game with an injury (Frank Vatrano filled in for him). With Acciari back, Vatrano could remain in the lineup until Marchand’s suspension is up, barring any future call-up or injury.
The Bruins are back in action on January 30 against Anaheim.