Donato Gets Call for Game 4

BOSTON - While some questions remain about what the Bruins forward group will look like on Friday night for Game 4 against the Lightning, there is one thing that is certain: rookie Ryan Donato will be in the lineup.
Donato has not played since Game 2 against Toronto, but with the Bruins down 2-1 in their second-round series with Tampa, coach Bruce Cassidy is turning towards the former Harvard standout to provide some offensive flare up front.

"What he gave us when he was here at the end of the year when he was in the lineup," Cassidy said of what he expects out of the 22-year-old. "He was on pucks, he shot the puck, so he obviously created offense for us…some energy, that's a bit of it. I think the last two games, we need a little more of that. We need some more pop in our lineup and a little more energy, enthusiasm and puck pursuit, and he can add that."
Cassidy would not confirm where Donato would slot into the lineup other than to say the winger would be on the second power-play unit. Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk - both battling some nicks and game-time decisions, per Cassidy - are expected to be well enough to play, but until Cassidy knows for sure his lineup is a bit in flux.
"We still have some game-times for the guys who missed [practice] yesterday," said Cassidy. "I believe both Marchy and Jake will play, but if not, there is a domino effect…the D will stay the same. Tuukka [Rask] is starting. The forward group, like I said, will be changed. Normally, I wouldn't hesitate - it's not a covert operation here. It's just we have to see how the other two guys are and how the rest fits."

Donato arrived on the scene in mid-March following the end of his junior season with the Crimson and made an immediate impact, notching five goals and four assists for nine points in 12 games. That natural scoring touch could be a boon to a Bruins team that has generated just three goals in their back-to-back losses to the Lightning.
"Whatever they need me to do," said Donato. "I've played a couple roles this year…if I have a lot of opportunities, I hope to create some goals and get some assists as well."
It has been nearly three weeks since the Scituate native suited up for game action, playing 9:24 with three shots on goal in Boston's 7-3 win over Toronto in Game 2 of the first-round series. Despite that time off, Donato is confident that the work he has put in to stay in shape - he's often the last player off the ice each practice day - will benefit him when he makes his return on Friday night.
"For me, I just didn't get upset about, just worked hard and knew when I got my chances I'd try to capture it and play to the best of my ability," said Donato. "It's been a lot of hard work. A lot of the guys that have been scratches lately have been working hard off the ice so that when we eventually got our opportunity we'd be ready to go."
Donato also believes he's better prepared now that he has that one postseason game under his belt. The experience against the Leafs - albeit brief - has given him a better idea of what to expect from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"I think the first game got the nerves out a little bit," said Donato. "Being a kid from Boston, it's tough to kind of wrap your head around playing in a playoff game and now having this second opportunity it's a little more relaxing. I know more what to expect and I'm gonna use that to my benefit.
"It's a fast game. You've got to show up ready to play at the very beginning of the game. Obviously it's the best time of the year for hockey. The best players get up for these types of games, so I'm excited and I think I'll be ready to go tonight."

DeBrusk Feeling Good

While Cassidy termed Marchand and DeBrusk game-time decisions after both missed practice on Thursday for maintenance days, DeBrusk said he is feeling good.
"Feel all right…willing to do anything I can to help the team," said DeBrusk, who took part in an optional pregame skate on Friday. "[The maintenance day] was big. It was good rest, especially this time of year, clean some things up and get ready for tonight. Like I said, feeling good to go. We'll see."

Knotting Things Up

The Bruins know the importance of evening up the series at two games apiece on Friday night. Falling behind, 3-1, with two of the final three games on the road would not be a favorable position.
"It is pretty much a must-win game," said DeBrusk. "You can't go down 3-1 against this kind of team. Every series is different. You saw last series how Toronto came back from down 3-1, but in saying that, just having it at home as well. I don't think it would be a good feeling if we lost both games here.
"We understand that we have to start on time and that's something we've said all year. Our starts have been a point of emphasis. We have to be ready to go. Hopefully get that first goal and go from there.
"I think that that first goal changes a lot of things, especially to start the game and get the home crowd into it."