Bruins forward injured in first period, won’t return

Bruins rookie forward Justin Brazeau left the ice holding what appeared to be either his shoulder or arm late in the first period of Boston’s game with the Predators on Thursday in Nashville and won’t return to the game.

Brazeau went to the bench and then down the tunnel to the locker room after a center-ice collision with Luke Schenn with 2:50 remaining until the first intermission. Schenn was assessed a roughing penalty on the play.

There initially wasn’t an immediate update from the Bruins on Brazeau’s status. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound forward had played five shifts for 3:45 before the injury and did not come out for the start of the second period. Shortly after the period began they announced he would not return.

Brazeau, an undrafted free agent has given the Bruins a jolt of energy and physicality since being called up on Feb. 19. Coming into Thursday’s game he had five goals and two assists in 18 games and has impressed through 18 games. He’s been a strong addition to the fourth line and has acquitted himself well since being added to the power play.

The Bruins have six regular season games remaining.