Lauzon Returns as B's Get Back to Practice

BOSTON - After two days away from the rink, the Bruins returned to practice on Wednesday morning at Warrior Ice Arena and they looked a tad healthier than they did at the end of their first-round series against the Capitals.
Jeremy Lauzon, donning a maroon non-contact jersey, was back on the ice for the first time since he suffered an injury while blocking a shot during Game 1 in Washington. The blue liner is "trending well," though his status for the beginning of Round 2 remains in question.

"I don't know, depending on when we start," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "He still has to get through today. He's still in a red jersey, but he's with us in a red jersey. That next one will be a normal-colored jersey, and he'll have to take contact, make sure he's good to go. Then go from there.
"But it's been a week, so that's a good sign. I don't know when we're going to start, let's just assume it's sometime in the weekend. That gives him another three or four days. He's trending very well.
"Will he be ready for Game 1? I don't know, we'll probably get a better update Friday afternoon after he's been through a few more of these practices."

Kevan Miller, who left Game 4 after taking a heavy and high hit from the Caps' Dmitry Orlov, did not practice but has been at the facility for the last few days.
"He's feeling better but not able to participate yet," said Cassidy. "Obviously until he gets on the ice, it's tough to predict when he'll be joining us."
Cassidy, when asked about his fourth line of Sean Kuraly, Curtis Lazar, and Chris Wagner, went on to say that he does not expect any changes to the forward lineup for Game 1 of the second round, regardless of whether the B's draw the New York Islanders or the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"No, I liked our four lines," said Cassidy. "So, we'll probably start that way, assuming there's no fly in the ointment, someone gets hurt or whatnot this week. That's the way we'll look at it and go from there. Obviously, we have some guys that have been skating up with us, [Trent Frederic] and [Karson] Kuhlman, all along. For different reasons, they both bring different elements and if that's something we feel will make us a better team, then we'll look at that.
"I thought everyone bought into their jobs, so you want to reward that, their loyalty to the group and performance up until now. Same time, again, if there's a better option, we'll look at it and use it. But right now, that looks like the way we're going to go."

Getting His Rest

Tuukka Rask took some shots before practice on Wednesday morning but did not participate in the main session. Rask and goalie coach Bob Essensa decided that it would be more beneficial for the netminder to get in some quick work and take another day for rest and recovery.
"That's what he felt would be best for him today is a little individual work, knowing we have a little bit of time here," said Cassidy. "I'm fine with it. Tuukka's been on. We've all seen that. He played four games last week, five in whatever it was, 10 days - something he hadn't done all year. Clearly, he's taking care of himself, being ready to play every night.
"That's a good thing, because he didn't have that in the regular season. We tried to avoid that so there weren't any setbacks, and the workload could increase this time of year. You never know without going through it, he has in the past. He knows his body and Bob knows his game best.
"I assume he'll rejoin us [on Thursday] and get some live work, and we'll see what Friday brings."

Taking Another Shot

With all of the downtime this week, many of the Bruins players received their second COVID-19 shots. Cassidy said some players were feeling minor effects, but nothing that caused any absences from practice. He believes the club's traveling party will reach the 85% mark required for relaxed restrictions once the two-week, post-shot period is reached.
"A large group had their second shot [on Tuesday]. I don't know exactly which ones, but there was a bunch that went in," said Cassidy. "Nobody missed practice, but a few were more under the weather than others. In general, everyone came out of it fine, so that's good news.
"I think eventually now, from whatever date it is, from [Tuesday] - whatever the two weeks is - I believe we may be at 85 percent, so we could maybe get a few more liberties. Again, I'll have to double check on that. But I believe we will be."

Putting in Work

The Bruins coaching staff is already hard at work scouting the club's potential second-round opponent. With the Islanders holding a 3-2 series lead over the Penguins heading into Game 6 on Wednesday night, the focus could shift solely to New York as early as Thursday morning.
"There's a lot of things at work today," said Cassidy. "We need something to present to the team, so you almost have to have both sides ready. But we'll start with the Islanders first because they're up 3-2, have a chance tonight to close it out…we'll start with our common games against them and then mix in what Pittsburgh clips that they see fit. Obviously, we'll use more of the later games, because we played the Islanders three times at home after the deadline.
"We've got different lines and [Mike] Reilly in the mix. That makes a difference too, and Pittsburgh added some players, as did the Islanders. You're probably going more recent than in the past as well.
"That's how we start doing it and we'll have a much better idea by 10 or 11 tonight who our opponent will be. We'll adjust anything we need to after that."

Having His Cake

David Pastrnak celebrated his 25th birthday on Tuesday, and despite not being "a big cake guy," quite enjoyed the celebration with his girlfriend, Rebecca Rohlsson.
"Got a couple gifts. Trying to enjoy these days off," said Pastrnak. "Had a couple fruitcakes. Not really a big cake guy. She made me a nice fruitcake. Got a couple nice gifts, a chessboard. Might have to play some chess with her."
Pastrnak and Rohlsson are expecting their first child next month with the due date set for June 9.

Wednesday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Craig Smith
Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Jake DeBrusk
Sean Kuraly - Curtis Lazar - Chris Wagner
Trent Frederic - Karson Kuhlman
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Jarred Tinordi - Connor Clifton
Jeremy Lauzon - Urho Vaakanainen
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman
Jaroslav Halak