Bruce Cassidy gives updates for crucial Game 6 on Thursday
The Boston Bruins lost game five 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes and are officially on the brink of elimination in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinal matchup. The Bruins will be back at home in TD Garden, where they are currently 2-0 in the playoffs and have outscored the Hurricanes 9-4.
Early Wednesday morning, Bruins' head coach Bruce Cassidy gave updates on what the lineup may look like for Thursday's must-win game six.
Most notably, the status of defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who has been out of the lineup since taking a massive hit from Hurricanes' forward Andrei Svechnikov in game two of the series:
Getting Lindholm back in the lineup changes more than just the overall defence of the Boston Bruins but also the responsibilities of the forwards too. Lindholm is maybe the best defender at zone exits on the Bruins, which directly affects how much defensive responsibility is put on the forwards. With him in the lineup, I genuinely believe Boston's forwards will be able to have a greater focus on offence.
Cassidy was asked if he senses any fatigue with goaltender Jeremy Swayman after a couple of shakier goals given up on Tuesday night:
Cassidy confirmed that Swayman will be the starter once again for game six. He's 2-1 in the series with a goals-against-average of 2.68 and a save percentage of .911.
A positive is that the Boston Bruins seem like a totally different team on home ice, and it might come down to line matching advantages with the last change. Game six is obviously a must-win situation for the Bruins before they even have to worry about trying to figure out how to win one on the road.
Watch coach Bruce Cassidy's full media coverage here:
