Bruins center David Krejci will be a game-time decision for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round at TD Garden on Saturday.
The Bruins lead the series 1-0 after 3-2 win in Game 1 on Thursday. Near the end of the third period of that game, Krejci took a hit at the blue line from Columbus' Riley Nash. Krejci didn't return in regulation or for the overtime.
"Krejci will be a game-time decision. So far he got through morning skate, that's a positive. Felt good when he came in this morning, a positive. So I'd say we'll keep our fingers crossed," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after the Bruins' morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena on Saturday.
Krejci wasn't about to contradict his coach.
"That's what he said, and that's the truth," Krejci said.
He was asked, "do you feel like you can play?"
"Yes," he replied.
In case you forgot, this is the Stanley Cup playoffs.
*With Krejci in his usual spot centering the second line, Cassidy juggled a couple of his wings during morning drills, with Danton Heinen next to Krejci and David Pastrnak back on Patrice Bergeron's right side.
The rest of the lineup remains the same, including Connor Clifton on the third defense pair with Matt Grzelcyk instead of John Moore.
*The Bruins have had a too-many-men penalty in three of their past four games. Cassidy explained Saturday that there was plenty of blame to go around for all three.
"Clearly I can't count to five, let's start with that," he joked. "I always thought it's on the coaches, but Krech jumped on the other night on the power play [in Game 1 vs. Columbus]. Tuukka plays it up, Marsh's going to the bench, decides to button-hook and Krech is already one. That one we needed a lasso and there wasn't one long enough to get him back.
"Kuraly the other night [Game 7 vs. Toronto] just jumped for Krejci for no reason. Sean, I love him to death, he's got lots of high energy, but sometimes we have to repeat, he gets so dialed in. So that one was a tough one because for whatever reason he just jumped, Krech wasn't off the ice.
"Other times it may be when you're line juggling, you might have an injury, you're moving a guy. When I move Heinen from left wing to right wing, our wingers sometimes miss that. That happened against Toronto [in Game 5], so I'll put that on myself. I should've reminded the guys Heinen was right, I think Jake and Johansson both went at the same time."
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