Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

How will the Bruins lineup in Game 5 look? Does anybody even know?

June 6, 2019, 4:03 PM ET [48 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Boston Bruins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
A little over 24 hours ago, there was panic in Boston. Matt Grzelcyk who missed Game 3 and Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final was still in concussion protocol, and Captain Zdeno Chara was suffering from a reported broken jaw.

But now, as the hours inch closer to puck drop in Game 5, things are looking much better for a banged up Bruins blueline.

Holding an optional morning skate at TD Garden Thursday morning, both Chara and Grzelcyk were present and both are game-time decisions for Game 5 according to head coach Bruce Cassidy.

“They’ll be game-time decisions. They’re on the ice now. That’s a good sign. We’ve always said, once they get out there, they’re that much closer,” Cassidy said Thursday morning. "See how they feel at 7 or so tonight.”

After skating yesterday in a red non-contact jersey, Grzelcyk was this time in his normal black practice jersey most likely meaning he was cleared for contact. Knowing there's no contact in optional skates, there would really be no need for a red non-contact jersey, however.

Cassidy said yesterday that once Grzelcyk was cleared, he would be expected to be back in the lineup.

"I'm not really sure," Grzelcyk said in regards to his status for tonight. "I guess coach said game-time decision, so if I'm in, I'm obviously going to be ready to play and I'll be excited to join the guys again."

Despite Cassidy’s claim of a game-time decision for Grzelcyk, Rear Admiral of Barstool Sports is reporting Grzelcyk is out for Game 5.



This morning marked Chara’s first appearance on the ice since taking a puck to the jaw in the second period of Game 4 Monday night. Chara skated with a full face shield to protect his broken jaw on Thursday.

Chara did briefly meet with the media after the optional skate, but was unable to speak. Instead, he answered two questions from the media by writing down his thoughts.

“At this time of the playoffs, everyone has injuries and there are challenges that you have to overcome to play," Chara said. "I’m no different than any player on either team.”

That answer was in response to the challenges he will face playing with a broken jaw. When asked how he weighs the risk of further injury when deciding whether or not to play, his answer was simple.

“You don’t think about that," Chara said. "You think about playing. You don’t go into a game thinking you might get hurt.”

Chara getting himself onto the ice is just step one in the process of being in the lineup for Game 5 Thursday. Next is clearance from the doctors, then from there, a thumbs up from Chara himself.

“Well, the doctor has to give him the green light, then it will be his call,” added Cassidy. “If the doctor doesn’t, then he has no say in the matter.”

In the immediate aftermath of the Chara injury, many assumed the Bruins would be without Chara at best for Game 5, but most likely the remainder of the Stanley Cup Final.

I mean just seeing the discomfort Chara was in on the bench after taking the puck to the jaw was uncomfortable to watch.

“Well, he was never ruled out, even the other night in St. Louis. He was ruled out for that third period; we talked about that. After that, he was going to be day to day,” added Cassidy. “First thing you worry about is a concussion, because then you’re in the protocol, so we avoided that – or Zee avoided that – so that was good news, and then it’s a matter of, well what’s next?”

Even though it didn’t sound likely Wednesday, Cassidy wouldn’t rule out the possibility of going with seven defensemen in Game 5, regardless of whether or not Chara and/or Grzelcyk are able to play in Game 5.

“I mean, depends who’s in there. There’s different reasons that go into that; I don’t want to go through them all right now. I thought we went through some of that yesterday,” said Cassidy. “Depending on which guys are in, how much experience there is, what roles need to be divided, so we could play seven [defensemen].”

If the Bruins do indeed dress seven defensemen, then a forward would have to come out. Despite David Backes being the obvious choice, Cassidy wouldn’t reveal who it would be that sits in Game 5.

He did give the media a little information however, admitting it won’t be David Pastrnak who comes out of the lineup. Pastrnak will likely be doubled shifted often in Game 5 if only 11 forwards are dressed.

“Well, if we go seven D, someone has to come out, obviously, up front. It won’t be Pasta. So, he’s moved around a lot. He doesn’t kill penalties, so you don’t expend a lot of energy there, so there’s opportunity there to move him around coming out of penalty kills,” said Cassidy.”

It makes the most sense to me that if Grzelcyk is out and Chara is able to play, going with seven defensemen is the smart move. Doing so would provide the Bruins with some stability on the blueline should Chara be limited, or unable to continue at any point during tonight’s Game 5.

“7 or so” can’t come fast enough.
Join the Discussion: » 48 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Anthony Travalgia
» The End of an Era?
» Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman in Game 7?
» Home Not So Sweet Home
» Bruins Depth On Full Display In Sunrise Sweep
» Bruins Drop Game 2 After Ugly Performance