Bruins shuffle defensive pairings due to McAvoy's suspension for Game 1

Plus there are players coming in and out of the infirmary...

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Published 4 years ago
Bruins shuffle defensive pairings due to McAvoy's suspension for Game 1
Zuma Press

The Bruins host the Carolina Hurricanes for the first game of the Eastern Conference finals tonight, but Boston will be without defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who is suspended one game for an illegal check to the head against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson in Game 6 of the Second Round on Monday.

Therefore, head coach Bruce Cassidy had to make changes to his lineup for Game 1 and it's a good thing one player is back from injury to help him with this puzzle. Indeed, blue liner Steven Kamper steps back into the lineup after missing action since playing just one contest with the Bruins in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

John Moore was another option, but the Bruins confirmed the return of Kamper on Thursday morning. We have not seen Moore since Game 7 against Toronto. The veteran defenseman was labeled as day-to-day for the entire Blue Jackets series with an upper-body injury. He however has been cleared for contact and has been skating the last few days.

Kampfer has appeared in one playoff game this season, logging 11:06 of ice time with 51 seconds of that coming on the penalty kill. Kampfer also took McAvoy’s spot on the Bruins’ second power play unit.


Here is a look at the projected lineup based on this morning's skate:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Backes
Johansson-Coyle-Heinen
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner

Chara-Clifton
Krug-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Forward Noel Acciari resumes staking on Thursday, but will not be in uniform tonight for the first contest of the ECF. He missed Game 6 against the Blue Jackets with an undisclosed injury, but could return to action for Game 2 on Sunday. 

Source: Twitter