There's a real chance David Pastrnak will be back in the Bruins' lineup as they look to finish off the Hurricanes in Game 5 Wednesday afternoon.
Coach Bruce Cassidy said during his pregame press conference that Pastrnak is "feeling much better" and will take part in pregame warmups. Cassidy didn't go as far as confirming he would play, so Pastrnak could be a true gametime decision.
Cassidy also didn't say who would come out if Pastrnak does play, noting that it wouldn't do any good to name that player now and then have Pastrnak not be able to play.
It could be Anders Bjork or Jack Studnicka if Cassidy opts to keep Sean Kuraly on the third line, or Par Lindholm if Cassidy moves Kuraly back to the fourth line. The latter would likely mean a third line of Bjork and Studnicka with Charlie Coyle, which is pretty intriguing, unless there's also another change and Karson Kuhlman draws in.
"Obviously if he's healthy, he'll go back in with (Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand)," Cassidy said of Pastrnak. "There's a few guys we've looked at, different scenarios that we play through always, like what if Pasta goes in and unfortunately does get hurt again? Who's the best fit to go up? Where do we go from there? How does our 11 forwards look? Or if there's another injury, etc.? We always factor those things in. But right now, let's get him in the lineup first and then we'll go from there."
Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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