UNIONDALE, N.Y. - The Bruins have one last chance to get a win on Long Island as they wrap up the four-game road portion of their season series against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. Boston has lost all three previous matchups at Nassau Coliseum so far this season, despite all three games being tied heading into the third period.
"You've got to stay patient," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "That's who they are. They're a good defensive team. We are as well. Some of these games in here have been low-scoring and tight checking and they've found a way to have better third periods than us. That's the bottom line. We've got to stick with it for 60 minutes."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of Tuesday's 7 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:
DeBrusk Scratched
For the first time this season, Jake DeBrusk will be a healthy scratch, Cassidy confirmed following Tuesday's morning skate. The winger has one goal and four assists in 17 games this season, with Cassidy saying that DeBrusk's effort has not been at the level required to remain in the lineup.
"We've tried different angles with Jake," said Cassidy. "He's met 1-on-1 with myself, he's met with the coaches 1-on-1, Joe [Sacco] and Jay [Pandolfo], met with lines. He's talked to some of the veteran guys. At the end of the day, we're not quite getting quite out of Jake what we want.
"Some of that is circumstance and situational. He's moved around, been hurt. His center [David Krejci] that he's played with in the past has been hurt. But I still feel he's been given ice time to perform to the best of his ability. We just feel that we're not getting the effort required. It's not always about the scoresheet. It's about being one of 20 guys helping you win. Some nights it's there, some nights it's not.
"Again, we've tried different messaging with the player and sometimes going upstairs and taking a look is not a bad way to go and put a different perspective on it and maybe have a better appreciation for being in there.
"We want to make him a better player in the long run and this is the avenue we're gonna take today."
Video: Cassidy talks to media before game against Islanders
Studnicka to the Wing
With DeBrusk out, Jack Studnicka will move back to the wing and play the right side on the second line with Nick Ritchie and Krejci. Studnicka played his first six games of the season on the wing before returning to his natural center position upon his return to the big club last month.
"Play my game, keep my feet moving, make plays," Krejci said when asked how he deals with a change in his wingers. "That's what got me here. I've got some young legs on my line today, so we'll try to generate some offense and help the team to win."
Kuraly Returns
Studnicka's shift to the wing opens up a spot for Sean Kuraly to return to the lineup and take back his familiar fourth-line center role between Anders Bjork and Chris Wagner. Kuraly had been a healthy scratch for the past two games.
"Just play his game. He's a proud guy," said Cassidy, when asked what he hopes to see from the centerman. "Work hard on his faceoffs. He's probably gonna be matched up against good players because he starts in our end probably 80 percent of the time. Bring some energy, which he typically does. That's not his problem.
"Just manage the puck a little better. I think he's had some games where his decision making could be better. It happens to every player so that was another one of the messages. You don't have to force a play every time. Use your feet.
"You're one of the quicker guys in the league to open up space for yourself and make your play. I think he's been maybe thinking a little bit instead of just reacting and playing. That's what he hope to get out of him. I'm sure we will.
"I'm sure he'll still forecheck well, he'll kill penalties well…he's the center, he'll drive that line and make good decisions with [the puck] so your wingers can feed off you."
Rask Stay Back
Tuukka Rask did not make the trip to Uniondale as he deals with some discomfort stemming from Sunday night's loss to New Jersey. The netminder appeared to be grabbing at his lower back as he made his way to the bench for an extra attacker.
With Jaroslav Halak already scheduled to make the start against the Islanders on Tuesday, the Bruins opted to save Rask from the flights to and from Long Island. Daniel Vladar will back up.
"He's feeling better," said Cassidy. "But we just felt why mix in a couple of plane rides when not necessary…I don't [believe it's serious], just some maintenance, save him a trip. Simple as that."
Opposing View
The Islanders enter Tuesday's game as winners of five straight and with points in eight consecutive games. They are fresh off a three-game sweep of the Buffalo Sabres to start a five-game homestand and now lead the East Division with 34 points, five ahead of the Bruins, who have three games in hand.
"They play a similar from-the-blue-line-in style to the Bruins," said Cassidy. "Maybe a little more so in terms of the personnel of 2011, '12, '13. They'll give you more space in the zone but their D are always inside the dots, they're long, they've got good sticks and they box out well.
"What can you do? You can attack them and drive the pucks deeper, maybe below the goal line at times, force them to turn their feet in a different direction and maybe get pucks into the slot. You've got to work hard to get inside. There's obviously some will and commitment to getting in there."
Video: Krejci talks to media ahead of matchup with Islanders
By The Numbers
- David Pastrnak is one point shy of 400 for his career.
- The Bruins visit the Islanders tonight in the fourth of eight games between these teams this season and the third of four to be played in New York this year.
- The Bruins and Islanders are meeting for the 176th time in their histories with the Bruins having a 92-57-21-5 record and 582-499 scoring advantage in those games.
- The Bruins are 45-33-10-2 vs. the Islanders all-time on the road with a 294-271 scoring edge in those 90 contests.
- The Bruins have lost their last three games of this series following a 9-0-1 streak. Those setbacks also snapped a 10-game win streak in New York and they are now 13-4-0 in their last 17 road games of this series.
Tuesday's Projected Lineup
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Nick Ritchie - David Krejci - Jack Studnicka
Trent Frederic - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Anders Bjork - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Jakub Zboril - Connor Clifton
Jarred Tinordi - Urho Vaakanainen
GOALIES
Jaroslav Halak
Daniel Vladar
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