Boston Bruins: Bruce Cassidy’s one lineup change is not enough

After Saturday night’s Game 4 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins‘ head coach Bruce Cassidy hinted that there might be some changes coming to the B’s bottom-six forward group.

The game was closer than the score shows as the Black and Gold were only down by a goal heading into the final minutes, but two empty net goals by the Isles sealed the deal and expanded their lead to three to end the game.

Don’t get me wrong, the Isles deserved to win Game 4. They outplayed Boston, especially the B’s bottom six who were basically invisible if they weren’t in their own end.

Well, anyway, Cassidy revealed what his changes are going to be for Game 5 at Monday’s morning skate. Winger Jake DeBrusk will be a healthy scratch tonight with Karson Kuhlman replacing him on the third line.

The Boston Bruins need more than just one change to their lineup.

First off, DeBrusk isn’t even the guy that should be scratched. Chris Wagner should be. Although DeBrusk hasn’t done much this season, he brings too much skill and speed to scratch him — especially over Wagner who hasn’t done less than DeBrusk this postseason.

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Second, the B’s have several guys that can play both center and a wing. Play around with that. Curtis Lazar can play right wing, why not move him over and have Sean Kuraly back at center to see if that lights a spark?

That isn’t even the only option if you move Lazar over. Trent Frederic can also play center. You can put him there and bring DeBrusk back down to 4LW where he honestly played his best hockey. You then have a fourth line of DeBrusk, Frederic, and Lazar. In my opinion, that’s better than the Kuraly, Lazar, Wagner line that has been limping its way through this series.

There were just so many different options Cassidy had and he decided to go with this one and scratch the wrong player to go with it.

Heck, he could’ve even moved Coyle back over to right wing and brought Kuraly back up to 3C. That worked well before Coyle suffered an injury. Try that trio again.

I just don’t understand how this dreadful fourth line is seemingly untouchable. Kuraly and Wagner have done so much more to warrant a healthy scratch than to stay in the lineup. How are they both in the lineup over DeBrusk tonight? A guy who has scored 20+ goals twice in his four-year NHL. career.

Overall, I really think swapping DeBrusk for Kuhlman isn’t going to be enough for tonight. Cassidy has Kuraly, Coyle, Lazar, and Frederic who can all play both center and a wing, but yet he decides to take out DeBrusk all together and keep Wagner in. It’s just mind-boggling to me.