The Bruins have a couple lineup question marks as they try to avoid elimination in Game 5 against the Lightning Monday night.
Coach Bruce Cassidy said during his pregame press conference that forwards Sean Kuraly and Nick Ritchie will both be game-time decisions. Fellow forward Chris Wagner was already ruled out on Sunday.
Kuraly returned to the ice for Sunday's practice after missing the previous two games with an undisclosed injury, and skated again Monday morning. Ritchie, who took a costly five-minute major that led to the Lightning's third goal Saturday, missed Sunday's practice but was back on the ice Monday morning.
Cassidy said that if Kuraly can't go, Par Lindholm will stay in the fourth-line center spot. If Ritchie is unavailaible, that combined with Wagner's absence would mean both Anders Bjork and Jack Studnicka come in to play on the third line with Charlie Coyle, which would presumably mean Karson Kuhlman moves to fourth-line right wing.
On the Lightning side of things, coach Jon Cooper remained secretive regarding defenseman Ryan McDonagh's status, saying people would need to tune in to find out if he's playing.
As far as how he feels about his team heading into Monday night's game (puck drop 7 p.m., NBCSN), Cassidy pointed to Game 6 of the first round last year, when the Bruins were facing elimination against the Maple Leafs on the road, in this same exact building, as an example for this group having its backs up against the wall and stepping up.
"We were in this building last year, in the same dressing room we were in tonight, facing a Game 6 against the Leafs that we had to win or we were done," Cassidy said. "I think our guys overcame an early deficit and played really well. They've been through it. They know what it takes. Are they capable of delivering tonight? It's going to take everybody.
"But yes, to answer your question, our guys have been there and have overcome in the past. Every year is a different year, different animal, different group of people in the room, different circumstances and clearly this year is no different. To answer your question, I don't think our guys are afraid of the moment at all tonight. The question becomes, are we going to execute well enough, better than Tampa, have more will than Tampa, and do enough to win?"
As far as the possibility that this could be the last game with the Bruins for a number of players, Cassidy said that's something you think about later and that right now the focus needs to be on keeping this group together a little longer.
"Yeah, I don't think that is going to drive your whole group," Cassidy said. "At the end of the day, those are things you reflect on after, a lot of times, when players do leave. That's where that kicks in. I think the individual that's in those positions, we'll see. Some guys look at it as this might be my last game, I'm not leaving anything on the table. And other guys maybe get caught up in reflecting on that and all of a sudden, the game is on and you have to refocus yourself.
"But I know myself that as a coach, it happens every year. There is guys that - Noel Acciari, I'll use him. He left as a free agent last year, a terrific person, good player, great guy in the room. We weren't thinking that going into Game 7 last year. Obviously, this game is not as big of stakes as that one, but in other ways, it is comparable because if we lose we don't get a chance at the Cup. We're a long way from that. So, our mindset is a little more has to be, let's just play for one another, the group that's in there, and don't worry about kind of where you were going down the road. So, enjoy each other's company tonight. Be grateful for having great teammates and keep the teammates together for an opportunity for a Game 6."
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