Jarred Tinordi to make Bruins debut vs. father's former team originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Capitals fans might have to give a double-take when they see the name Tinordi in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Bruins, especially given that it’s been over two decades since longtime Caps defenseman Mark Tinordi hung up his skates.
But two decades is long enough for Mark Tinordi to see his son, Jarred, rise through the ranks of the Little Capitals youth hockey program, attend Severna Park High School as a freshman and then head to Ann Arbor, Mich. to play for the United States National Team Developmental Program.
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The 22nd overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Jarred Tinordi made his NHL debut in 2013 for the Montreal Canadiens but has struggled to keep a place in the league since then. He's never played more than 28 games in a season and played primarily at the AHL level.
On Wednesday, Mark Tinordi will see his son make his debut for the Boston Bruins against the Washington Capitals, the franchise with which he played his final five seasons in the NHL, including an appearance in the 1998 Staley Cup Final.
On Saturday, the Bruins claimed Tinordi from the Nashville Predators via waivers. With Jermey Lauzon out with a fractured hand, Kevan Miller sidelined with pain in his right knee and Matt Grzelck returning to the lineup after missing the last seven games with a lower-body injury, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney moved swiftly to add a left-shot defenseman.
Tinordi has been far from a regular in the NHL, logging just 88 career games and spending the bulk of his career playing with AHL affiliates. But depending on the severity of the injuries to Lauzon and Miller, the 29-year-old leftie could have a few games to prove himself in Boston. Lauzon is set to miss multiple weeks after injuring his hand on Feb. 20 and Miller’s absence is the latest of many issues associated with a bad right knee.
As fate would have it, the timing of Tinordi’s debut lines up with longtime Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara’s first trip to TD Garden as a visitor since 2006. After 15 years of captaining the Bruins, Chara was determined to play a significant role that Boston was unprepared to give the 43-year-old in his 23rd season.
He’s found that significant role in Washington, having appeared in all 21 games this season, averaging 19:24 of ice time per game. He’s been instrumental in the 12-5-4 start that now sees the Capitals top of the East Division standings. And he's not around to help stabilize the Bruins' blueline.
With the current state of their back line, Boston might be wondering if they made the right move letting Chara go. But in the 6-foot-6, 205-pound Tinordi, they’ll hope to have found some much-needed fortification, at least for the short-term.
Wednesday night will be a special game for Tinordi, who recorded his first career NHL goal against the Capitals last year. But Chara and the Capitals will hope to spoil it.
Tune into NBC Sports Washington's live coverage of Capitals vs. Bruins, starting with Capitals Pregame Live at 6 p.m. ET.
