Bruins Catch Their Breath Ahead of Game 1

BOSTON - Bruce Cassidy noticed the difference as soon as he stepped on the ice Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Ice Arena.
The Bruins had only been away from the rink for one day, but even that short reprieve seemed to provide a jolt through the dressing room.

"I did just being around," Cassidy said when asked if he felt the team was rejuvenated. "It's Toronto now, that's who it is. And I assume that will only amp up. We just started digging into it. As coaches, we have people doing a little bit [of research], but we didn't know. It looked like Toronto, maybe New Jersey, and then maybe Philadelphia - now it's truly Toronto…I think our guys will start getting more excited as it gets closer."
Boston's bench boss considered giving some of his players - mainly the top line and members of the defense corps - even more of a break with a second consecutive day off, but ultimately elected to get everyone back on the ice to start prepping for Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series with the Maple Leafs on Thursday.
"We'll have an optional [morning skate] on Thursday, so I'm sure they'll exercise that option and that will be a little time off," said Cassidy. "I think everybody wanted to get back on the ice today in general. We didn't finish the way we wanted, so wanted to get back to work and start preparing for Toronto. That was the consensus, so that's what we chose to do."
The mental and physical fatigue that appeared to set in during the season's final week, seemed to hit the Bruins' top line the hardest. The trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak was a combined minus-20 over the last five games.
"I think the rest is always good," said Bergeron. "I was out for four weeks [with the broken foot], but my wingers didn't [have time off]. For them, I think it was good. That being said, I think we're looking forward, not really thinking too much about that and overthinking stuff. We're here for Game 1, getting ready for Thursday. That's all we can really concentrate on right now."
Both Bergeron and Cassidy did not appear to be overly concerned about the line finding their game come Thursday night.
"On the surface, you look at it, the numbers aren't great," said Cassidy. "We know that and we accept that. But I believe that they're all very good to elite players, however you want to categorize them. I believe they will find their game Thursday, quickly.
"I think some of it was mental. They played a lot. I'm not using that as an excuse, I'm just telling you what I thought happened over the last little stretch. Getting into the second season will rejuvenate them."

Not Ruled Out

Riley Nash did not take the ice on Tuesday, but has not yet been ruled out for Game 1. The center, who suffered an ear laceration against Florida on March 31, skated on his own for the first time on Monday.
"Didn't skate today. Obviously that [makes it less] probable that he would play Thursday, not being on the ice. But I'm not going to rule him out," said Cassidy. "I think they just chose to keep him off the ice today. I assume he'll go back on tomorrow. If he doesn't tomorrow, ask me the same question and I'll probably have a better answer for you."

Acciari Takes the Day

Noel Acciari was the only other player that did not participate in practice, taking advantage of some added rest for a maintenance day.
"Shouldn't be any issues with him playing Thursday. It's not a major issue, we just gave him an extra maintenance day," said Cassidy.
If Riley Nash is unable to play on Thursday, the plan is for Acciari to fill in as Boston's third-line center between Danton Heinen and Backes.
"Right now, Noel is going in there," said Cassidy. "It could be Backes. Let's say the line is Heinen-Acciari-Backes, we used that today. Could be [Ryan] Donato in the mix. They can flip flop in game because they've both played a lot of center. Backes is better on draws, so he'll take the draws in that corner if they're out there."

Nash, Kuraly Looking Good

Both Rick Nash and Sean Kuraly practiced in full on Tuesday in their normal spots in the lineup. Said Cassidy: "Bodes well for them…we're encouraged by Rick and Sean."

Donato May Sit

Donato did not take normal line rushes during Tuesday's practice, indicating that he could be a healthy scratch to start the series with Toronto. The 22-year-old played in all 12 games since joining the Bruins on March 19, notching five goals and four assists.
"He could be out," said Cassidy. "Without going through every scenario, but let's say Rick Nash is in, Rick Nash is a power-play guy out front. He did very well for us, did very well in New York, in Columbus…we don't think they'll be a drop-off there. He's going up with Krejci.
"So now Donato was on that line on his off side…that's where Ryan could lose his spot. Then it becomes, 'Well, do we drop him down in the lineup?' We like our fourth line, so now it's a question of him Backes and Heinen.
"The last part is, how many young guys do you think could go into the lineup at once and we sustain our level of play?"

Defensive Decision

Cassidy noted that he has yet to decide whether Adam McQuaid or Nick Holden will be Boston's sixth defenseman for Game 1. He did say that Matt Grzelcyk would be in the lineup.

Amp it Up

Torey Krug has been ready for another taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for four years. After reaching the postseason in each of his first two seasons with the Black & Gold, Boston missed the playoffs the following two years. And last season, Krug was injured during the final week of the regular season, forcing him to sit out the B's six-game series with Ottawa.
"It will be crazy," said Krug. "For me, it's been [four] years since I played in a playoff game, so sitting up on the ninth floor and watching it last year and remembering how loud it was, I'm looking forward to that this year. It's definitely an exciting time in Boston and TD Garden. Ready to get this thing underway."