Causeway Crowd
Fansided

Bruins look to advance to 2nd round, lineups for Game 5

By Matt Hawkins

May 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) tries to deflect the puck past Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) while defenseman Nick Jensen (3) looks on during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) tries to deflect the puck past Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) while defenseman Nick Jensen (3) looks on during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After a dominant 4-1 Game 4 win over the Washington Capitals, the Boston Bruins currently hold a commanding 3-1 stranglehold of a lead in the series and find themselves just one win away from advancing to the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This win could happen tonight, Game 5, as the B’s and Caps go back to Washington, D.C. However, unlike the previous four games, the Black and Gold will be without veteran defenseman Kevan Miller as he’s out with an upper-body injury.

The absence of Miller could make it a bit harder for Boston to handle the Caps aggressive and physical style of play, especially around the front of the net. However, the B’s did it in Game 4 as Miller missed just over half of the game.

If Boston can continue how they played in Game 4, they should win and advance tonight easily. To beat the Caps in five games after the disappointment of last postseason would be great for the team and fans.

Boston Bruins – Washington Capitals Game 5 projected lineups.

Boston Bruins (3rd seed)
Lead series 3-1

As mentioned earlier, the B’s will be without Miller for at least tonight, Game 5. Jarred Tinordi will replace Miller in the lineup. With Tinordi being a lefty, Connor Clifton will move over to the right, which is his strong side.

The rest of Boston’s lineup will remain the same. Tuukka Rask will be in net, with Jeremy Swayman backing him up.

Expect the Bruins to look like this tonight:

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Hall – Krejci – Smith
Ritchie – Coyle – DeBrusk
Kuraly – Lazar – Wagner

Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Reilly – Carlo
Tinordi – Clifton

Rask (Swayman)

Washington Capitals (2nd seed)
Trail series 1-3

For the first time this series, I actually know what the Caps’ lineup will look like while writing a game preview.

After playing in the last two games, Daniel Carr will be a healthy scratch tonight. Daniel Sprong will go back into the lineup, playing on the second line. This is the only personnel change for the Caps as the rest of the changes are moving skaters up and down the lineup.

Expect the Capitals to look like this tonight:

Ovechkin – Backstrom – Mantha
Sprong – Kuznetsov – Wilson
Sheary – Eller – Oshie
Hagelin – Dowd – Hathaway

Orlov – Carlson
Dillon – Schultz
Chara – Jensen

Samsonov (Anderson)

Where and when to watch Boston Bruins – Washington Capitals Game 5.

Time: 7 PM EST

Location: Capital One Arena

TV Broadcast: NESN, NBCSWA, USA, SN1, TVAS

Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub

Must Read. There’s no more denying: Tuukka Rask is the best. light

On the verge of elimination, I expect the Caps to come out with a strong push tonight. If the B’s can withstand this push and counter it with their own, they should be able to win tonight.

Home/Editorials