Riley Nash officially ruled out for Bruins’ playoff opener
The Bruins will have to navigate their playoff opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs without a key piece on the third line. Still dealing with lingering effects of an ear laceration suffered last month, center Riley Nash will miss Game 1 Thursday at TD Garden.
The Bruins were holding out hope that Nash would be available for the start of the playoffs after being sidelined since March 31 when he was struck in the side of the head by a puck. The injury required more than 40 stitches. Coach Bruce Cassidy said Nash potentially could return by Saturday for Game 2, depending on how he progresses. Nash’s versatility made him a weapon on the third line with David Backes and Danton Heinen. He was valuable on the penalty kill and won 48.4 percent of the face-offs he took.
Cassidy will move third-year center Noel Acciari into Nash’s spot, and if need be, Acciari and Backes will split duties at center.
🎥 Bruce Cassidy on Riley Nash being ruled out for Game 1: “He’s an underrated guy that does a lot of little things well that we’ll miss.” pic.twitter.com/DA8R4Nb7MH
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 11, 2018
“It hurts,’’ Cassidy said. “He’s a guy that filled in a lot of different spots. But the spot we need him in right now — or where he would’ve been — was third line-center. He’s an underrated guy that does a lot of little things well that we’ll miss.
“But Noel goes in there, different flavor. Noel’s played lots of center. He’ll share that responsibility with Backes. As the game goes along, Backes might take the draw or play a little more against certain matchups.
“So we’re comfortable with the guy replacing Riley, but we do miss him.’’
Rick Nash, who missed 12 games with a concussion, and Sean Kuraly, who missed seven with a lower-body injury, both practiced again Wednesday and are expected to be available on game day.
“I anticipate they’ll play tomorrow,’’ Cassidy said.
Acciari spent most of his ice time this season with Tim Schaller and Kuraly, but over the past 10 games, he’s played more with Backes and Heinen.
“The first couple games back at center is just kind of readjusting,’’ Acciari said. “But I thought I found my stride at center at the right time, I guess, because I’m going to still play center.
“Since I’m playing center and not wing, I’ve got to be more cautious about being first in the zone offensively and trying to throw a big hit. Rather than that, I’ve got to make sure I’m a little more defensive. Have three high guys so I can be first in the defensive zone.
“But Backes will help me out with that because he’s played a lot of center in his career. So we’ll just be talking.’’
Backes said there will be some give and take with the change. Where Nash is a more experienced center, Acciari is more physical. But the line’s duties remain the same.
“In the end, the playoffs are the playoffs, and you make do however you need to,’’ Backes said. “We’re going to have a line that’s north-south. We need to be counted on responsibly defensively and make sure we’re managing the puck and having those shifts that change momentum in games.
“We’re going to be called on and we’ll certainly do what we can. We’re certainly not going to shy away from trying to create chances and be an offensive threat as well.’’
For faceoffs, Backes said, he’s prepared for an all-hands-on deck scenario. Backes won 51.7 percent of the 242 faceoffs he took this season and has won 49.8 percent over his 12-year career.
“Been there before, so if he wants me to take them, I’m willing,’’ Backes said. “He’s a capable body there. He’s going to be just fine. He’s responsible and he owns his ice wherever he is and that’s a good thing to have in the middle of the ice.’’
The Maple Leafs are particularly deep at center with Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri, and Tyler Bozak, but Acciari said he wasn’t overly concerned.
“I’m not too worried about the matchup,’’ Acciari said. “My two wingers now — I have Backes and Heins — are good defensively. I’m going to try and pull my weight in that line and help them like Riley did.’’
