John Moore will make his season debut, subbing in for Connor Clifton alongside Brandon Carlo on Boston's second pair. The veteran blue liner has played just one game in the last 11 months, suiting up for Game 3 of the B's second-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Aug. 26. Before that, the 30-year-old had not played since March 10 in Philadelphia, the final game before the COVID-19 shutdown.
"It's something we've considered with the back-to-back," said Cassidy. "Cliffy has had a lot of rest when he was out for [Matt Grzelcyk], but it gets Johnny in a game. He's been working hard. We feel tonight is a good night to do it and we'll go from there."
Cassidy has appreciated Moore's professionalism over the past couple of seasons as his playing time has become less frequent. Moore played 61 regular-season games and 10 playoff contests during his first Black & Gold campaign in 2018-19 but suited up for just 24 games last season.
"I try to talk to John as much as possible, without being that coach that's over there every day like, 'Stay ready, stay ready.' I think as a player at his juncture, a true pro, they don't want to hear that from the coach every day when they're doing everything they can to stay ready," said Cassidy. "I just try to remind him a little bit of what's necessary, how the team is playing, what he can do to help us when he gets in there, ask him how he's doing personally a little bit more than maybe a young guy.
"We appreciate his professionalism and it's one of those things that goes on behind the scenes that not many people know, but he's a really good pro and a real popular teammate."
Tuukka Rask will make the start between the pipes. No changes are expected up front.
