Riley Nash expected to return to Bruins lineup for Game 3
TORONTO — For Riley Nash, the hardest part was waiting.
“You can’t really do a lot, you can’t really force it. Seeing your guys go into the playoffs, you just have to reset,’’ he said.
Nash is probable to make his 2018 postseason debut on Monday night when the Bruins play the Maple Leafs in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. He has been out of the lineup since March 31, when he was struck in his right ear by a slap shot. He sustained a cut that required 30 stitches to close, and the team had been cautious with its third-line center as he dealt with concussion-like symptoms. Nash will slot back into his regular spot alongside wingers Danton Heinen and David Backes.
“For me, I had to stay patient and not get overly aggressive with the rehab and trying to force [a return] too early,’’ Nash said. “Guys that have come back too early, they’ll take one hit and they are back out for an extended period of time.’’
“He’ll take the warm-up and we expect him to play,’’ coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He’ll get all the work that he has handled in that role’’
Nash had 15 goals and 26 assists in 76 games this season. He recorded two assists in six playoff games last season in Boston’s first-round series against the Senators.
Nash’s return comes at the expense of Ryan Donato, who will likely sit as a healthy scratch Monday.
Tommy Wingels is back to full strength after absorbing a dangerous hit from Leafs center Nazem Kadri in Game 1. Kadri will serve the second game of a three-game suspension on Monday.
Pastrnak drawing attention
David Pastrnak has been getting some friendly ribbing in the locker room after his record-setting performance in Game 2.
“I don’t want to say whom . . . [Brad Marchand] . . . it’s part of it, it’s fun,’’ Pastrnak said.
With three goals and three assists in Boston’s 7-3 win over Toronto on Saturday, Pastrnak became the youngest player (21 years, 324 days) to record six or more points in a playoff game, breaking the record held by Wayne Gretzky(22 years, 81 days).
“This year he’s been able to battle through being checked harder,’’ Cassidy said of Pastrnak. “He’s mentally stronger and a lot of that has to do with his linemates.’’
The line of Pastrnak, Marchand, and Patrice Bergeron
has combined for 20 points as the Bruins have built a 2-0 series lead.
The Maple Leafs have moved center
Tomas Plekanec to the second line in an attempt to help neutralize Boston’s top line.
“He’s a really good player who has been in the league for a long time,’’ Marchand said of Plekanec. “He should play a few more minutes and that will help their team.’’
Grzelcyk doubtful
Matt Grzelcyk did not take part in Boston’s morning skate and could miss Monday’s game with a lower-body injury.
“He sustained it during the game [on Saturday] and he played through it’’ Cassidy said. “He’s doubtful for tonight, but I won’t rule him out because he may try it at warm-up and decide he’s fine.’’
Grzelcyk averaged 16:30 of ice time in the first two games.
Nick Holden would make his Bruins playoff debut if Grzelcyk doesn’t play.
Beneficial bounces
With the series shifting to Toronto, the Bruins lose the benefit of matching lines. The Leafs have reunited their top line of Zach Hyman, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander with the hope that the offense will improve with better matchups.
“We weren’t good enough in their building,’’ Leafs coach Mike Babcock said.
Although the Bruins have outscored the Leafs, 12-4, this series, Toronto has come up with some early scoring chances.
“I think a couple of bounces have just gone our way,’’ Marchand said. “Last game, they played really hard. I felt they had more zone time than they did in the first game.’’
Bruins’ expected lines for Game 3
Forwards
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – David Krejci – Rick Nash
Danton Heinen – Riley Nash – David Backes
Tim Schaller – Sean Kuraly – Noel Acciari
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug – Kevan Miller
Nick Holden – Adam McQuaid
Goalies
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin
