Rask, DeBrusk Miss Skate, Won't Be in Lineup for Rematch with Pens

BOSTON - The Bruins were shorthanded for Wednesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena as Tuukka Rask and Jake DeBrusk joined Ondrej Kase on the shelf. Both players were banged up in Boston's overtime victory over the Penguins on Tuesday night and will not be in the lineup for Thursday's rematch between the teams at TD Garden.
Rask appeared to tweak something in his lower body as he attempted to stop the Penguins first goal in the third period. The netminder stayed in the game but was kept off the ice on Wednesday with Jaroslav Halak already slated to get the start on Thursday night.
"Tuukka, giving the day off. Jaro is gonna play [Thursday] anyway," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "Obviously after the first goal, he was in a little discomfort, was able to finish the game. Not feeling 100 percent today, we kept him off the ice. We'll go with Jaro [Thursday] and hopefully Tuukka is ready for Saturday in Washington."

DeBrusk, meanwhile, exited in the first period with a lower-body injury after taking a hip check from Sidney Crosby in the neutral zone and did not return. The winger is considered day-to-day.
"Will not play [Thursday]. We'll go from there," said Cassidy. "If we have anything better [on Thursday morning], I'll let you know."
With DeBrusk missing, Kase already sidelined, and David Pastrnak not expected to return before Saturday, Cassidy mixed up his lines for Wednesday's practice. Craig Smith skated on the right side with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, while Charlie Coyle moved to right wing alongside Nick Ritchie and David Krejci.
Par Lindholm subbed in as the third-line center with Trent Frederic and Jack Studnicka on his wings. Boston's fourth line of Anders Bjork, Sean Kuraly, and Chris Wagner remained unchanged.
On the back end, Matt Grzelcyk, who has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, practiced in full and could make his return on Thursday night.

Locking It Down

With Boston's defense corps undergoing a major overhaul during the offseason with the departures of longtime stalwarts Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug, the expectation was that Charlie McAvoy would take on a larger role than he had over the course of his first three-plus seasons in the NHL.
The 23-year-old has, so far, met those expectations - and then some. In Tuesday's overtime win over the Penguins, McAvoy played a team-high 27:34 - with 3:44 coming on the power play and 2:54 on the penalty kill. He also picked up three assists, tying career highs for helpers and points in a game.
"It's a lot situational hockey," said McAvoy. "At the end of the day, you're going out there and playing hockey, nonetheless. I try and just go out regardless of the situation and just try to do what allows me to have success, trying to think the game, trying to use my feet and let my hockey instincts take over.
"Situationally we've been doing really well as far as PK and PP and 5-on-5 over time has been pretty good to us this year. We're happy in the room and trying to keep that momentum going."
While McAvoy is clearly taking over the reins as Boston's top dog on the back end, Cassidy believes there is still plenty of room for growth for the former first-round pick.
"He can play in every situation," said Cassidy. "That's what made him such a high draft pick and a valuable player for us, came into the lineup at a young age. He can be a puck mover, he defended well against bigger bodies, against fast bodies. He can pitch in on the power play. We have not needed him to be the No. 1 guy here. But certainly, he's been part of the second group consistently. Part of the penalty kill...overtime 3-on-3 covers a lot of ice. He can cover the ice when necessary. He can read plays.
"He's a hockey player and he's a smart hockey player with a lot of drive, very competitive. You know you're always gonna get a bounce back from him if it doesn't go his way for a shift or a game. All those things make him who he is.
"I think he's only gonna get better when he's used to the league a little bit more. Defensemen often take a while. I think you're gonna see growth in other areas of his game that may not show on the scoresheet over time."

Quite A Comeback

Despite so much change on the back end, the Bruins have played a strong defensive game thus far, allowing an average of two goals per contest which is tied with Anaheim for third in the NHL. While McAvoy and Brandon Carlo have led the way, youngsters Jeremy Lauzon and Jakub Zboril have acquitted themselves well in their first extended stints as everyday players.
But perhaps the most impressive performance has come from Kevan Miller. The veteran blue liner returned to the lineup this season after missing nearly two years as he recovered from four separate knee surgeries and has picked up right where he left off in 2019. Miller is ninth on the Bruins in ice time, averaging 18:15 per game, including 3:21 on the penalty kill, ranking third behind Lauzon and Carlo.
The 33-year-old is also second on the Bruins in hits with 14 through six games.
"You used a great word there in steadying," McAvoy said in a response to a reporter's question about Miller's veteran presence. "He shows up and you know what you're gonna get from him. We're all so happy to have him back. What a story to see what he's gone through in the last two seasons. Just the mental strength and the toughness to fight back. Not only that but to come back full circle and to have the impact that he's been having.
"He's so steady, he goes out and plays hard, he's strong, he's a leader by example and vocally. Just having him back has really meant a lot to the team. Another one of those guys that comes to the rink every day and you're happy to see. He just has that presence about him that's pretty contagious.
"He's meant so much to us. Seeing him play great hockey and help our team every single night has been awesome."

Wednesday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Craig Smith
Nick Ritchie - David Krejci - Charlie Coyle
Anders Bjork - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
Trent Frederic - Par Lindholm - Jack Studnicka
Greg McKegg - David Pastrnak
DEFENSEMEN
Jeremy Lauzon - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Jakub Zboril - Kevan Miller
John Moore - Connor Clifton
Urho Vaakanainen
GOALIES
Jaroslav Halak
Callum Booth