BOSTON – Linus Ullmark will get the start between the pipes on Thursday night as the Bruins wrap up the home portion of their 2021-22 schedule against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. No lineup changes are expected for Boston.
Here’s everything else you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. ET puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:
Creating Chemistry
Charlie McAvoy has felt it since Day 1. When he teamed up with Hampus Lindholm following the blue liner’s arrival from Anaheim just ahead of the trade deadline, McAvoy could tell instantly how much the newcomer was going to help Boston’s back end.
“Just his brain is really what sets him apart from everyone else,” said McAvoy. “The way that he’s able to think the game both offensively and defensively, putting himself in positions to score, to make plays, to contribute. He sees the ice incredibly well.
“And then defensively, he just always knows where to be, what to do. What really sets him apart is just the way that he’s able to think the game. His hockey sense is really second to none.”
McAvoy did acknowledge, however, that the duo is still trying to shore up some parts of their game as they continue to get familiar with each other’s tendencies after roughly a handful of games together.
“I think we’re still early in the process of still trying to gather that and improve on our chemistry,” said McAvoy. “I think certainly he wants to have the puck, he wants to make plays. When he’s breaking it out, he can be a one-man breakout. So, I think that allows me to certainly support on the other side of the ice.
“I think regardless of who’s out there, we trust each other to make the plays. So, a lot of that is just read and react. But my job to always be underneath the play, up until the point where I’m joining.
“He’s a tremendous defenseman. He sees those plays and he’s going to make them. I guess with more time I’m starting to realize when and where I can definitely join.”
Video: McAvoy speaks with media at WIA
Looking for a Breakthrough
The Bruins would like nothing more than to snap their 0-for-36 drought on the power play before the postseason begins. McAvoy believes just one goal could make all the difference for the confidence of the group.
“I just want to get a goal and then it’ll just be over with,” said McAvoy. “I mean, we’ve had some good looks. We’ve had good chances. I think we just need one to go in and then it’ll be fine. I think when we’re scoring, when things are going good, you’re just showing up and you’re playing. It’s all instinct. It’s feel.
“Then when things don’t go well, you start overthinking. You’re looking more into why things are not going right sometimes. Maybe it’s just the goalie making saves. Sometimes it’s just a lack of good chances or poor decisions. But when things are good, it’s easier to just come in and play.”
Cassidy said that given most of Boston’s man-advantage struggles occurred when David Pastrnak was sidelined by injury, he has not contemplated any major changes, opting for patience as he waits to see if things improve with the winger now back in the lineup.
“If David had’ve played the last month, I would’ve. But he’s been out so let’s see what it looks like now that all the pieces are back together,” said Cassidy. “It wasn’t like the power play was good for three months – they’ve been together for four years, five years and it’s been functioning pretty well over that entire span.
“We don’t want to let one month cloud everything we do. But yet., we’re in crunch time so you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get it going.”
Video: Cassidy speaks with media on Thursday at WIA
Getting Some Rest
Cassidy did not reveal his plans when it comes to which players will sit out the regular-season finale on Friday night in Toronto but did say whoever does not play will likely remain back in Boston.
“We have to have a certain amount of bodies in case something happens in the morning,” said Cassidy. “But at the end of the day, the guys that we’re going to give a maintenance day, we’re trying to give them a true maintenance day where they’re staying home and not traveling.”
Having Some Fun
McAvoy has hit the 10-goal mark for the first time in his career, a milestone he believes is a result of focusing on improving his shooting frequency.
“It’s cool. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to improve on, starting to shoot the puck more and scoring goals. So, it’s nice to see them go in and be rewarded,” said McAvoy, who has a career-high 10 goals and 55 points in 77 games this season. “I’ve got to continue to keep doing that. It’s fun. Scoring goals is fun. So, I think I should try and do it more.”
Thursday’s Projected Lineup
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Jake DeBrusk
Taylor Hall – Erik Haula – David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic – Charlie Coyle – Craig Smith
Nick Foligno – Tomas Nosek – Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMEN
Hampus Lindholm – Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk – Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort – Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
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