Cassidy: Getting Healthy is the Primary Focus

DALLAS - Down their top three defensemen, their first-line center, two-thirds of their second line, and their alternate captain, the Bruins arrived in Dallas on Thursday morning as the third team in the National Hockey League to clinch a postseason berth.
With the first step in their quest for the Stanley Cup out of the way, Boston's focus now is piecing its lineup back together over the final 10 regular-season games.

"You're coaching the game in front of you, you want to win every night. That's just the way we're wired," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said at American Airlines Center following an off-ice workout. "But at the same token, we understand the big picture. Health going into the playoffs now that we're officially in is probably the most important factor. You want to play well and finish as high as you can and go in on a winning note. I think we can do that anyway with the lineup we have and guys coming back. But we want to be careful now.
"We've got to mindful of the big picture…we're not holding anybody out that's healthy right now. The guys that aren't in are not able to play, that's a fact. As we get closer to the end, that first week of April, then we may look at healthy guys stepping out. But right now we're just not in that position."
The position they currently sit in looks like this:
While getting healthy is the Bruins' top priority, they would not complain about having home-ice advantage, though Boston has been equally impressive at home and on the road this season, posting a 25-7-5 home record and a 20-10-5 mark away from TD Garden.
"I think when you look at home ice, we've played well on the road," said Cassidy. "At home I think it depends how your opponent is, how are they at home vs. the road. And then the Game 7, which is the one you want at home. Starting on the road is I don't think a bad thing sometimes, but that obviously means if it goes seven you're on the road.
"That's where I think the big advantage is, that seventh game, and again your opponent. I don't want to speculate, right now we're lined up against Toronto - they're a very good home team, so are we. Probably becomes a little more important."

Cassidy had few updates on Boston's walking wounded, but did say Patrice Bergeron - out for the last three-plus weeks with a fractured right foot - could join the team over the weekend in Minnesota if his doctor's appointment on Friday goes well.
"Yes," Cassidy said when asked if Bergeron could return this weekend. "Bergy I think has an appointment tomorrow, so we'll go from there. If it goes well then he could."
Boston's bench boss said none of the other injured players that did not travel would be available on the trip. Torey Krug, who did not play on Wednesday night because of an upper-body injury, is day-to-day.
And just in case you need a refresher, here's a look at the Bruins' injury report. All are considered day-to-day, with the exception of Charlie McAvoy, who has missed nearly three weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
Cassidy also confirmed that Tuukka Rask is expected to get the start in goal on Friday night in Dallas.