We are back at Nassau Coliseum for game 6 of the series – a potential elimination game for the Bruins. See it on NBCSN, TVA Sports, CBC, or SportsNet. Or listen on 98.5 The Sports Hub or 88.7FM WRHU. We are starting at 7:30PM EDT.
The Bruins have split the two games in their home stand to start the series, and split the next two games at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Then they missed a big opportunity at home with a dreadful penalty kill, giving up a goal on 3 PKs out of 4. Now they are down 3-2 in the series. Can the Bruins stave off elimination?
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 and Brandon Carlo are skating, but will not be in the lineup. Steven Kampfer has an arm injury, and is out seemingly indefinitely. Curtis Lazar left the ice limping after knocking down Adam Pelech. He also will not play.
Karson Kuhlman will be on Charlie Coyle’s right wing, Jake DeBrusk on his left, bumping Ritchie down to the 4th Kuraly will center with Lazar out.
With Kevan Miller and Carlo out, Connor Clifton has been paired with Jared Tinordi with Jeremy Lauzon paired with Mike Reilly.
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 |
 Jake DeBrusk |
 Charlie Coyle |
 Karson Kuhlman |
 Nick Ritchie |
 Sean Kuraly |
 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: #19 Gord Dwyer — #9 Dan O’Rourke
Linesmen: #94 Bryan Pancich — #51 Andrew Smith
(as usual, h/t Scouting the Refs)
Ugh, that’s it
Islanders have been the better team… when they stick to the plan, they are good
Still hoping!
Interwebs problems again
Hi! So many turnovers
Bruins can’t get a puck on net on the PP, but Isles clearing pucks all the way on Tuukka’s crease.
If Tuukka is hurt, he shouldn’t be playing.
Yeah, but it’s a potential elimination game, and mildly injured Rask is probably better than untested Swayman.
Give Sway the start of a series or a 3-1 series lead.