Smith Returns to Practice as Bruins Prep for Game 3

BOSTON - Craig Smith was back on the ice for practice on Wednesday afternoon as the Bruins prepped for Game 3 of their second-round series against the New York Islanders. The winger missed Boston's Game 2 loss to the Isles with a lower-body injury.
"He looks a lot better, that's a good development for us," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said following the session at Warrior Ice Arena. "We weren't sure, to be honest with you. But he made it through the entire practice, did a little work early. That's a positive. Obviously [Thursday] morning, we'll see if there's any residual effect. If not, then I assume he'll be in the lineup."
If Smith is able to return on Thursday night on Long Island, Jake DeBrusk will remain in the lineup and shift back down to be the third-line right wing alongside Nick Ritchie and Charlie Coyle. Karson Kuhlman, who picked up an assist while filling in for Game 2, would likely be the odd man out.

"As for how they're attacking, I don't think the Islanders changed their game plan for Jake DeBrusk personally," Cassidy said of where DeBrusk is placed in the lineup. "I think their D sag in the neutral zone and their second layer will track back into the zone to try to push you to the outside. They try to protect the middle of the ice. Now, as a defenseman on a 1-on-1, when a guy's on his off side with a lot of speed like Jake, yes, that's an individual thing."
DeBrusk, who has gotten used to playing his off wing this season, particularly after the acquisition of Taylor Hall to play the left side, said at this time of the year the toughest part of that adjustment is along the wall where the pressure increases dramatically.
"It happens throughout the year. I've been on the right side…and there's times where I've played on the left," said DeBrusk. "It's one of those things where you just get game reps, it's the best way to go with chemistry…there's still things I'd like to work on and contribute more, in terms of zone entries and wall work, especially with playoffs and how teams play.
"They're pinching every time…there's pressure on both sides of the puck usually. One of those things where you're forced to be comfortable in those situations or else it's going to be in your zone the rest of your shift."

In other injury news, Kevan Miller was back on the ice for the first time since suffering an undisclosed ailment during Game 4 against the Washington Capitals. The blue liner skated on his own before Wednesday's practice. Jakub Zboril, out since the regular-season finale, is also progressing and joined the team in a regular practice sweater on Wednesday.
"Kevan Miller [is] not ready," said Cassidy. "Zboril is getting closer if we go down that road, down the road. That's good news, too, that he's back in a normal-colored jersey. The rest of the guys are status quo."

Rask Good to Go

Despite media speculation surrounding the health of Tuukka Rask - who appeared to be moving slowly when getting to his feet on a couple of occasions during Game 2 - Cassidy said that the netminder will be between the pipes for Game 3.
"Oh yeah, he's fine," said Cassidy. "Tuukka's been ready to go every playoff game. There's no issue there. Someone asked me the other day, I think he just - like a lot of guys - there's a few things here or there, but he's ready to go. He's practicing full today. He'll be in the net [Thursday] night."

Lauzon Staying In

Cassidy voiced his belief in Jeremy Lauzon and said that the young blue liner will be back in the lineup for Game 3. Lauzon struggled in Monday night's Game 2 and his overtime turnover at the Islanders' blue liner resulted in Casey Cizikas' winning goal. Nevertheless, Boston's bench boss believes the defenseman's confidence remains high.
"He's a confident kid. If you watch him, he tries plays out there - more than most that have his experience level," said Cassidy. "I'm not worried about that part of it. I think the message to Jeremy for the most part is now, moving forward, we're all on to Game 3. Game 2 is over. Be true to your identity. And that is, in simplest terms, you have to be best to keep pucks out of our net. That's your first job. That's what you're good at, that's what you why you got into the National Hockey League.
"You're obviously hard to play against and willing to block shots, be physical. All of those other things that go along with that, but hard to play against and keep the puck out of your net. That starts with good defending, that starts with a good stick. That's what we addressed with him the other night. I thought there was areas where his stick could have been in better positions, specifically on the PK.
"Offensively, we have certain things we like to run in the O-zone. The other one didn't work out the other night. We addressed it. He still has to make the play that's in front of him. He's going to be like everyone else on our team, he's going to make some good ones and other ones that could have been better.
"We'll keep working with him, encouraging him. He's a great kid. He'll be in there [Thursday] night and hopefully helps us win."

DeBrusk Fined

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced on Tuesday that DeBrusk had been fined $5,000 - the maximum allowable under the CBA - for cross-checking Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield during a net-front battle in Game 2.
"It was warranted," said DeBrusk. "I got my stick in a dangerous position there in front. Kind of realized it as the play was going on. Obviously he went down pretty hard. He was able to come back and I didn't necessarily hurt him. It's one of those things where it's the heat of the battle in front of the net.
"I just kind of lost where my stick was. A fine's a fine. It's a warning. It's my first thing with player safety, so I understand that's not OK and it won't happen again."

By the Numbers

• Charlie Coyle's first-period goal in Game 2 was his 14th postseason tally with the Bruins, moving him past Bob Sweeney for the most by a Massachusetts-born player in team history.
• Brad Marchand notched his 100th career postseason point in Game 2 with an assist on Patrice Bergeron's third-period goal. His tying goal shortly thereafter gave him 101, moving him past Rick Middleton and Johnny Bucyk into sole possession of fifth place on the B's all-time playoff scoring list.
• Bergeron, meanwhile, moved into a tie for second with Phil Esposito on the B's all-time postseason goals list with his 46th.

Wednesday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Craig Smith/Jake DeBrusk
Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Karson Kuhlman
Sean Kuraly - Curtis Lazar - Chris Wagner
Trent Frederic
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Jeremy Lauzon - Connor Clifton
Jarred Tinordi - Jakub Zboril
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Jeremy Swayman