Thursday morning brought a good news-bad news update from Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy when it comes to his team's injury situation.
The good news is that right wing Craig Smith was expected to take part in morning skate ahead of Thursday night's Game 3 against the Islanders in New York. Cassidy said they would make a final decision on his availability after that, but that they "anticipate" Smith will play.
Smith suffered a lower-body injury during the second period of Game 1 that forced him to miss Game 2.
The bad news is that Kevan Miller did not travel with the team and will remain out for at least Games 3 and 4. Miller suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4 of the first round and hasn't played since.
"He’s easing his way back in," Cassidy said of Miller. "He’s made some progress, but obviously not to the point where he’s with the team."
Cassidy said there won't be any changes on defense, with Jeremy Lauzon remaining in the lineup despite a tough Game 2.
Up front, Smith will go back to his usual spot on the second line with David Krejci and Taylor Hall if he does in fact return. Jake DeBrusk would move back to his normal spot on the the third line and Karson Kuhlman would come out. If Smith is unable to play, the forward lines would be the same as Game 2.
Lastly, Cassidy reiterated what he said Wednesday about goalie Tuukka Rask, which is that he's "ready to go." Cassidy added that he thinks the recent talk around Rask's "nagging" injuries -- "nagging" being the word Cassidy himself used on Tuesday -- has been "overplayed."
Here is the Bruins' expected lineup for Game 3, assuming Smith plays:
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Craig Smith
Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Jake DeBrusk
Sean Kuraly - Curtis Lazar - Chris Wagner
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Jeremy Lauzon - Connor Clifton
Tuukka Rask
Meanwhile, the Islanders are expected to go with the same lineup as Game 2, based on what coach Barry Trotz told the media. That would mean:
Anthony Beauvillier - Brock Nelson - Josh Bailey
Leo Komarov - Mathew Barzal - Jordan Eberle
Kyle Palmieri - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Travis Zajac
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Nick Leddy - Scott Mayfield
Andy Green - Noah Dobson
Semyon Varlamov
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