Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy on Friday provided updates on forwards Riley Nash and Tommy Wingels ahead of Saturday’s first-round playoff game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden.
Nash, who has been sidelined since March 31 with an ear laceration, is doubtful, while Wingels is questionable after leaving Thursday night’s Game 1 win in the third period following a questionable hit by Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri.
Bruce Cassidy says Riley Nash is progressing well, but doesn’t believe he’ll play tomorrow: “Looks doubtful.”
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 13, 2018
Cassidy also says Tommy Wingels will be evaluated today by team doctors. He’s questionable for Game 2: “We’ll have a better read tomorrow.”
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 13, 2018
Nash required more than 40 stitches after being struck in the head by a puck, but it sounds like he also dealt with concussion-like symptoms, hence his six-game absence thus far. The good news is Nash skated Friday, although he wore a non-contact sweater.
Riley Nash said today that part of his ear was hanging off after getting hit with the puck that caused a 40 plus stitch gash & that he suffered some concussion-like symptoms as well. He's feeling better now
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) April 13, 2018
Riley Nash skating this morning and sporting a no-contact sweater.
— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) April 13, 2018
Wingels didn’t practice Friday. He was tended to on the ice Thursday and exited Boston’s 5-1 victory after Kadri slammed his head into the boards with just under 12 minutes remaining.
Kadri, who received a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct, didn’t practice for the Maple Leafs on Friday and could face a suspension for his cheap shot.
All things considered, here are the lines each team used Friday:
With Nazem Kadri not on the ice at #leafs practice — and presumed suspended for Game 2 — here’s how the lines look:
Komarov-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Marleau-Marner
JVR-Bozak-Brown
Johnsson-Plekanec-Kapanen— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 13, 2018
#NHLBruins practice lines:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Rick Nash
Donato – Acciari – Backes
Schaller – Kuraly – Heinen
Gionta – Riley NashChara – McAvoy
Krug – Miller
Grzelcyk – McQuaid
HoldenRask
Khudobin— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 13, 2018
Noel Acciari filled in for Nash as Boston’s third-line center Thursday and likely will remain there Saturday unless Nash surprisingly returns. Ryan Donato, who was a healthy scratch for Game 1, could take Wingels’ roster spot and play on the third line, with Danton Heinen shifting down to the fourth-line position previously occupied by Wingels.
