The Boston Bruins started off Round 2 strong, dominating and defeating the New York Islanders by a score of 5-2. David Pastrnak scored a hat-trick, and Charlie McAvoy and Taylor Hall had a goal each.
While the end result wasn’t close, the score was tied 2-2 after two periods. The B’s were dominating, but a nice deflection by Anthony Beauvillier on an Isles’ powerplay and rocket from the point by Adam Pelech along with superb goaltending by Ilya Sorokin kept the Islanders in the game.
However, the B’s domination of the Isles didn’t come without some sacrifice. While the Black and Gold gave the Isles a beating on the scoreboard, the Isles gave Boston a beating physically.
Both right wing Craig Smith and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk were banged up in Game 1. Smith suffered a lower-body injury after a leg-on-leg collision with Cal Clutterbuck in the third period. Grzelcyk is also dealing with a lower-body injury after taking some heavy hits by Leo Komarov in the second period. He left the game for a little bit, but ultimately returned and finished the game.
The Bruins’ lineup could look different in Game 2 with Craig Smith’s and Matt Grzelcyk’s statuses currently unknown.
With no game tonight and an optional practice, both Smith and Grzelcyk were treated at Warrior Arena for their injuries. Head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t have much of an update on their status but at least gave us something.
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Per Cassidy, Smith is getting treated at Warrior today and they won’t know his status until tomorrow morning when he skates around and tests his legs. I would say that his status right now is questionable.
Grzelcyk’s status is a little more positive. He was also getting treated at Warrior today, but Cassidy said he should be good to go tomorrow. His status would be considered probable.
Cassidy also gave an update on defenseman Kevan Miller. Miller was injured in Game 4 against the Washington Capitals after a high hit from defenseman Dmitry Orlov. Miller so far has missed Game 5 against the Caps and Game 1 against the Isles. He’ll also miss Game 2 of this series.
If Smith is unable to go for Game 2, Karson Kuhlman will most likely get a shot in the lineup. I’m not entirely sure where he would go, but he may get a shot on the second line with David Krejci and Taylor Hall as he has played with Krejci in the past. If He doesn’t go there, I would expect Jake DeBrusk to go up to the second line and Kuhlman to go on the third line, maybe even the fourth and Chris Wagner gets moved up to the third.
If Grzelcyk can’t go, expect Jarred Tinordi to play in Game 2. This would also mean that Jeremy Lauzon would be moved up to the first pairing with Charlie McAvoy as these two started off together in the regular season. Tinordi would play on the third pairing with Connor Clifton.
Hopefully one of Smith or Grzelcyk can go Monday night. Smith is a key part to the success of the second line and scored a huge double-overtime goal in the Caps series. Grzelcyk is one of the team’s top defensemen with him and McAvoy not only being a pair that can bring a great deal of offense to the table, but also shutdown the opposition. Both of their precenses are extremely important to the success of the Bruins.