Grzelcyk (concussion) will not play in Game 6.
There seemed to be some optimism that Grzelcyk would be able to return in Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision, but the Bruins defenseman will be held out once again for Game 6.
Line Change
Kampfer will be a healthy scratch for Game 6.
Kampfer dressed as a seventh defenseman in Game 5 but will be replaced by Karson Kuhlman for Game 6. The Bruins will go back to 12 forwards and six defenseman, which means that David Backes remains scratched as well.
Line Change
Kuhlman will play in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Kuhlman has not played since April 30th, which was Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets, but will dress in a must-win Game 6 on Sunday. Kuhlman will replace Steven Kampfer, as the Bruins go back to the traditional 12 forwards and six defenseman look tonight. Kuhlman, who has one assist in six playoff games, will start on the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
Grzelcyk (concussion) will be a game-time decision for Game 5.
Grzelcyk has been sidelined by a concussion since Game 2 but is expected to draw back into the Bruins lineup for Game 5. Grzelcyk was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional gameday skate and will likely replace Zdeno Chara (jaw), who is also a game-time decision. Grzelcyk is expected to play on the top-pairing and second power-play unit.
Source: @NHLBruins 06/6/19, 10:54 am EST
Chara (broken jaw) will be a game-time decision for Game 5.
Chara missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on the ice for today’s optional gameday skate. Chara was wearing a regular jersey, which is a good sign for his potential availability for Game 5. Matt Grzelcyk (concussion) is also a game-time decision and would likely replace Chara on the top-pair if Chara can’t play.
Source: @NHLBruins 06/6/19, 10:52 am EST
Chara questionable for Game 5 after taking puck to the face in Game 4.
Chara left Game 4 after being hit in the face by a puck and did not return. Chara returned to the bench for the third period but never took a shift. "Obviously his mouth has some blood and I don't know what's going on in there, but he can barely talk and he's out there supporting us," Brandon Carlo told reporters postgame. Luckily for the Bruins captain, the series will have an extra day off before Game 5 on Thursday.
Grzelcyk (concussion) will not play in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Grzelcyk is “better than he was” but will miss Game 4 in St. Louis. Grzelcyk’s improvement leaves the door open for a potential Game 5 return when the series shifts back to Boston.
Goalie Start
Rask will start Game 4 in St. Louis.
Rask allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Bruins 7-2 win over the Blues in Game 3. Rask made some big stops early in the game to allow the Bruins to take an early lead and they poured it on from there. Rask has now won nine of his last 10 playoffs starts while posting a sparkling 1.59 GAA, .949 SV% and two shutouts.
Source: 06/3/19, 12:36 pm EST
McAvoy is “fine” after blocking a shot in Game 3; will play in Game 4.
McAvoy was visibly in pain after blocking a shot with a few minutes left in Game 3 but head coach Bruce Cassidy said his top-pairing defenseman is “fine” and will be in the lineup for Game 4. The 21-year-old has one goal on four shots in the series and has tallied eight points (2G / 6A) in 19 postseason games.
Grzelcyk (concussion protocol) will not play in Game 3 in St. Louis.
Grzelcyk was crunched from behind by Oskar Sundqvist in Game 2 and will not be available for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sundqvist was handed a two-minute minor on the play but has been suspended for Game 3. John Moore is expected to replace Grzelcyk in the lineup on Saturday.
Source: @NHLBruins 05/31/19, 6:03 pm EST
Chara (undisclosed) will return to the Bruins lineup for Game 1.
Chara missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals but the will play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals vs. the Blues. Chara, who plays a shutdown role for the Bruins, has been on the ice for 12 5v5 goals for and just six against throughout the postseason while playing 22:32 TOI/gm.
Goalie Start
Rask stopped all 24 shots that he faced to complete the sweep of the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals and finished the series allowing just five goals on 114 shots (.956 SV%). Entering the Stanley Cup Finals, Rask has posted a stellar .942 SV% in the postseason and is 6-3 with a 2.01 GAA and .931 SV% at the TD Garden. The 32-year-old was 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and .949 SV% in two games vs. the Blues in the regular season.
Source: 05/27/19, 10:26 am EST
Goalie Start
Rask will start Game 3 in Carolina.
Rask allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Bruins 6-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 2. Rask has now won five straight starts while allowing just eight goals on 169 shots (.953 SV%). Now the series shifts to Carolina, where the Hurricanes are 5-0 while outscoring their opponents 22-7 in the postseason.
Source: @NHLBruins 05/14/19, 1:50 pm EST
Line Change
McAvoy will return to the Bruins lineup for Game 2 vs. Carolina.
McAvoy was suspended for Game 1 but is expected to replace Steven Kampfer in the lineup and return to the top-pair with Zdeno Chara. McAvoy has one goal and five assists (six points) while averaging 24:46 TOI/gm through 13 playoff games.
Goalie Start
Rask will start Game 2 vs. the Hurricanes.
Rask allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Bruins 5-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 1. Rask continued his strong play, extending his playoff winning streak to four games, while allowing just six goals on the last 146 shots (.959 SV%) that he has faced. Rask has gone 5-3 in eight games at the TD Garden in the postseason.
Acciari (undisclosed) will not play in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.
Acciari has been sidelined since Game 4 of round two and will miss Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Carolina. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Acciari is “feeling better” and is targeting a Game 2 return.
Source: @NHLBruins 05/9/19, 10:49 am EST
Line Change
Kampfer will draw into the Bruins lineup in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.
Kampfer has been a healthy scratch since Game 3 of the first round but will replace Charlie McAvoy in Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes. McAvoy is serving a one-game suspension for a hit to the head on Josh Anderson in Game 6 in Columbus. Kampfer had just three goals and three assists in 35 games this season.
Source: @NHLBruins 05/9/19, 10:44 am EST
Suspension
McAvoy was suspended for Game 1 vs. the Hurricanes.
McAvoy was handed a one-game suspension for his hit to the head of Josh Anderson in Game 6 vs. the Blue Jackets. McAvoy will be replaced by Steven Kampfer in Game 1 and is eligible to return to the lineup in Game 2 vs. the Hurricanes.
Source: @NHLBruins 05/9/19, 10:42 am EST
Acciari (undisclosed) will not play in Game 6 in Columbus.
Acciari missed Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision and will not play in Game 6 in Columbus. Chris Wagner will remain on the Bruins fourth-line.
Goalie Start
Rask wil start Game 6 in Columbus.
Rask allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Bruins 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets in Game 5. The Bruins have won two in a row with Rask stopping 72 of the last 76 shots (.947 SV%) that he has faced. Rask will look to punch the Bruins ticket into the Eastern Conference Finals with a strong outing in Columbus—he has stopped 71 of 74 shots (.960 SV%) in the two games at Nationwide Arena in this series.