Game Day Thread – Playoff Round 2 Game 4: Bruins @ Islanders

We are well into round 2 of the playoffs. Bruins are now on the road, visiting the New York Islanders for the second of two away games. See it on NBC, TVA Sports, SportsNet and CBC. Or listen on 98.5 The Sports Hub or 88.7FM WRHU. We are starting at 7:15PM EDT.

The Bruins have split the two games in their home stand to start the series, and won the first of two at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Can the Bruins win the 2nd of two with a third win in this series?

Let’s effing go!
I found this little hype video from 2019, and I liked it. What’s old is new again?

What will be the lines today?

The Injury Report: Ondrej Kaše is still out. Kevan Miller has been out with an undisclosed injury (which is totally not a concussion, but yeah, it’s almost certainly a concussion) and is skating, but not playing. Steven Kampfer has an arm injury, and is out seemingly indefinitely. Jakub Zboril is nearing a return, but he is lower in the depth chart than 7 other healthy D-men so it probably does not matter much. Craig Smith got injured in the first game of this series but may be back in tonight. Brandon Carlo god knocked out of game 3 with a hit that rocked his head. He is day-to-day, and is questionable for tonight.
Jarred Tinordi, Urho Vaakanainen, and Jakub Zboril are all available. Brad Marchand tweaked his right foot in practice, but continued on.

Jake DeBrusk had been in Craig Smith’s spot, but will probably be on Charlie Coyle’s right wing, bumping Karson Kuhlman.
With Kevan Miller out, Connor Clifton has been paired with Jeremy Lauzon, with both players on their natural sides. However, with Carlo missing, Lauzon was bumped up to his spot in practice, and Tinordi brought in to the 3-LD role.

Tuukka Rask is in net, Jeremy Swayman will be his backup.

Bruins Forward Lines
Brad Marchand	Patrice Bergeron	David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall	David Krejci	Craig Smith
Nick Ritchie	Charlie Coyle	Jake DeBrusk
Sean Kuraly	Curtis Lazar	Chris Wagner
Bruins Defensive pairs
Matt Grzelcyk	Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly	Jeremy Lauzon
Jarred Tinordi	Connor Clifton
Bruins Goaltending
#40 Tuukka Rask	(#1 Jeremy Swayman)

Tonight’s opponent are the New York Islanders. The Isles were the 4th seed from the MassMutual East division, and the one with the worst record since the trade deadline. Yet, they managed to beat the #1 seed – the Pittsburgh Penguins in 6 games.
The Isles have been missing an injured Anders Lee (out for the season), Winger Ross Johnston is also out with an undisclosed injury. Oliver Wahlstrom hurt his leg and has been day to day. Travis Zajac replaced him last game and is likely to replace him today as well. At the trade deadline, they acquired Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac and Brayden Coburn, without losing NHL-level player assets. This seems like a recipe for disaster for the Bruins, but the Bruins seemed to have have success against them post-trade deadline. Sorokin, Varlamov & Cory Schneideer were all at practice with Sorokin getting more minutes, but Varlamov appears to be in net tonight.
(h/t Daily Faceoff):

Islanders Forwards
#47 Leo Komarov — #13 Mathew Barzal — #7 Jordan Eberle
#18 Anthony Beauvillier — #29 Brock Nelson — #12 Josh Bailey
#21 Kyle Palmieri — #44 Jean-Gabriel Pageau — #14 Travis Zajac
#17 Matt Martin — #53 Casey Cizikas — #15 Cal Clutterbuck

Islanders Defense
#3 Adam Pelech — #6 Ryan Pulock
#2 Nick Leddy — #24 Scott Mayfield
#8 Noah Dobson — #4 Andy Greene

Islanders Goaltending
#40 Semyon Varlamov
(#30 Ilya Sorokin)

Officiating
Referees: #15 Jean Hebert — #28 Chris Lee
Linesmen: #94 Bryan Pancich — #51 Andrew Smith
(as usual, h/t Scouting the Refs)