Cassidy: Carlo Feeling Better, Will Be Day-to-Day

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy provided a somewhat encouraging update regarding Brandon Carlo on Friday morning in the midst of an optional practice at Nassau Coliseum.
The blue liner exited Thursday night's Game 3 when he was hit into the end boards behind Boston's net by Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck, causing his face to smash violently against the glass. Carlo struggled to gain his footing and needed assistance from the Bruins training staff and his teammate to get back to the dressing room.

But Cassidy said that Carlo "feels good this morning, better" and is considered day-to-day. Whether or not the defenseman would be ready for Saturday night's Game 4 remains in question.
"Got hit hard last night. I'll give you an update [Saturday] morning whether he's in or out, but he'll be day-to-day, and we'll go from there," said Cassidy.
Already down Kevan Miller - who skated again on Friday back in Boston and is progressing toward a return - the Bruins coaching staff will have a decision to make on the back end should Carlo be unable to suit up. Cassidy mentioned Jarred Tinordi, Urho Vaakanainen, and Jakub Zboril - all left shots - as the candidates to replace Carlo.
"Again, that's something I think we'll deal with [on Saturday]," said Cassidy. "All have played a little bit of right but are left sticks. That's a decision we'll make…[Jeremy Lauzon] might have to go to his off side. I know [Matt Grzelcyk] has played it, but that's something, a road we don't want to go down. One of those guys will have to find a comfort level if that's what we have to do and take Brandon out.
"We might have to be creative in game with playing four left sticks and two righties and giving the righties a lot of ice time. I'm not saying they have to play half the game, but a little more than usual and try to minimize the guy going to his offside. There's some different things you can do and we'll sort through those today and have a plan in place for [Saturday]."

With Carlo sidelined for much of the third period on Thursday night and the right side of the B's defense corps further depleted, Charlie McAvoy took on even more responsibility, finishing the night with a game-high 29:11 of ice time - nearly five minutes more than any other player in the game - and six hits and a team-high five blocked shots.
McAvoy also picked up the helper on Brad Marchand's overtime winner after he skated the length of the rink and delivered a silky, subtle feed to the winger at the Islanders blue line as he went to Boston's bench for a change.
"Obviously, he's becoming an elite player in this league and the playoffs don't bother him," said Cassidy. "Some guys get nervous or shy away from the moment. He's not one of those guys. Probably what makes him a great player, this time of year. His game has grown, he's obviously still a young defenseman knowing he can get better and what he can get away with and I think he just gets more comfortable every year.
"And obviously, when a guy goes down - I think there was a message that resonated with everyone. I think it was [Patrice Bergeron] who said it, 'We play for one another, we pick each other up.' Brandon's a very popular teammate, and that's directed basically at everybody. In Charlie's case, he's directly impacted, because it means it's going to be more minutes for him and probably [Connor] Clifton as well in that regard.
"He's going to try to play and try to drive the game no matter what, whether a guy is hurt or not, no matter how many minutes he plays. That's just who he is. He impacted the game in many ways [Thursday] night offensively. And the last goal - carrying the mail through the neutral zone, making a good play physically with a good hit on [J.G.]Pageau after they had hit Pasta hard. He responded well there. Big blocked shots in the PK.
"Good for Charlie. Teams that tend to advance have that type of D that can have those types of minutes, play in every situation. And we certainly have one in him."

Feeling the Love

The New England Patriots are in the midst of their offseason program down in Foxborough but they took time to show some love for the Black & Gold on Friday. Head coach Bill Belichick offered his support during his press conference, saying, "Go B's, got a lot of big games coming up. Wish them well. Coach Cassidy has done a great job there, they've got a lot of great players. Love their style of play. Just wanted to show our support."

When the Patriots took the field for practice later on, many of the players and coaches - including Cam Newton, Matthew Slater and noted Bruins fans David Andrews and Kyle Van Noy - were donning Bruins hats.
Cassidy was appreciative of the kinds words and said he keeps in touch with Belichick, Red Sox manager Alex Cora, and now former Celtics coach and current president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, all of whom reached out to congratulate the B's after their first-round victory over the Capitals.
"I think it's great that the teams are rooting for each other," said Cassidy. "It's good competition for each team to have good playoff runs. I think it forces the other organizations to continue to excel. Obviously, the Patriots have been the team that have had the most success and we want to follow in their footsteps and raise some banners as well.
"I think it's great. I think Bill is a hockey fan. When he was [the pregame fan banner captain] here a few years ago in the playoff run against St. Louis, he came in early, we chatted. I really enjoy his company.
"I know he's got work to do with his team, but nice of him to take the time out and salute the Bruins. We appreciate it and hopefully we can keep him happy."