Cassidy announces starter for game 2 and switch up with defense pairings
The Boston Bruins lost game one to the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-1, but they feel the game was a lot closer than the score shows.
A few more bounces in favour of the Hurricanes, maybe, but the Bruins didn't bring their best effort. Some of the blame was on goaltender Linus Ullmark, and head coach Bruce Cassidy has already confirmed who will start in game two.
He announced that Ullmark will indeed be the starter for Wednesday's game:
It looks as though Bruce Cassidy also had some new looks on the backend. The top two defence pairing were Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo.
A positive to the defence change is that of all D pairs w 400+ minutes at 5v5 this season in the NHL, Grzlecyk and McAvoy had the best share of shot attempts (61.2), shots on goal (65.3) and goals (30-10). So, Bruins fans should not worry as they're clearly comfortable together.
Bruce Cassidy also wanted to try Lindholm and Carlo as pair down the stretch, but didn't get to because of the injury to Lindholm.
This was the full lineup at the Bruins' practice this morning:
Marchand - Bergeron - DeBrusk
Hall - Haula - Pastrnak
Frederic - Coyle - Smith
Foligno - Nosek - Lazar
Blidh - Wagner
Grzelcyk - McAvoy
Lindholm - Carlo
Forbort - Clifton
Reilly - Brown
Ullmark
Swayman
It looks as though the only switch-up will be in the top two defensive pairings as of now. However, it would be nice to see the veteran Chris Wagner get an opportunity on one of the bottom two lines.
Here's what Cassidy had to say about his decisions:
