BRIGHTON — Struggling with developing any form of consistency, the Bruins can use any help they can get, especially if it comes to their leading goal scorer and a shooter on the verge of getting his first game action.

A night following another frustrating loss, Claude Julien confirmed that Frank Vatrano and David Pastrnak will join the team on their two-game road trip to South Florida and Carolina before the NHL’s Christmas break.

Vatrano and Pastrnak took part in an optional practice less than 24 hours after the B’s 4-2 loss to the Islanders. While the status of both players is still up in the air, Julien admitted that Pastrnak – fresh off a procedure to remove an olecranon bursa from his elbow – and Vatrano – still looking for his first action of the season following a foot injury that sidelined him for the first three months – are lineup possibilities for the latest set of back-to-backs.

“Either guy could, yeah,” Julien said about Pastrnak and Vatrano playing against the Panthers and/or Hurricanes. “There’s no sure shot answer to that. We still have to make sure that everything is okay before that happens.”

For the first time this season, Frank Vatrano will accompany the Bruins on the road. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

Any player will admit that being injured during a tough skid is frustrating. The way the Bruins have looked in some of the losses makes that frustration mount even more.

As good as it is for the Bruins to have some body’s back – particularly two skilled forwards – Pastrnak and Vatrano know the execution is all that matters for a team that is tied for 24th in goals for (78) with the Panthers.

“It’s always hard to watch games from the top,” Pastrnak said. “You want to play and you don’t want to spend any time injured. I’m happy I’m back on the ice after missing two games. It always can be worse, so I’m happy I’m back.”

“Whether you’re playing or not, it’s always frustrating when the team is losing. Obviously, it’s a little different when you can’t really help the team, but you want to help the team as much as possible even if you’re not in the lineup,” added Vatrano, who is a few days removed from his conditioning stint in Providence. “So for me, any loss is frustrating whether you’re playing or not playing. Hopefully, we can get points back on this road trip.”

Bruins fans are also hoping for those points, along with Vatrano and Pastrnak’s return to the ice.