Need to Know: Bruins vs. Islanders | Game 2

BOSTON - The Bruins will be aiming to open up a 2-0 series lead on Monday night when they host the New York Islanders in Game 2 of their second-round series at TD Garden. But they'll have to do so without the services of winger Craig Smith, who left Game 1 with a lower-body injury.
Per coach Bruce Cassidy, Smith - who did not participate in the morning skate - is considered day-to-day and will be re-evaluated ahead of Game 3.
"Game 3 is Thursday, gives him an extra day in between that we normally wouldn't have, so that's good," said Cassidy. "We'll see how he does. Not sure we'd skate tomorrow anyways with an extra day in between but as we get close to Game 3, I'll let you know."

With Smith out, Jake DeBrusk will bump up to take his place alongside Taylor Hall and David Krejci on Boston's second line. Karson Kuhlman will slide into the lineup for his first game since the regular-season finale on May 11 and play with Nick Ritchie and Charlie Coyle.
"The easiest thing would have been to just drop Kuhlman in [Smith's spot] and all the other lines stay the same, get some continuity," said Cassidy, who added that he consulted with David Krejci when making the decision. "Krech has played with Kuhly before in the [2019] playoff run, but we also want to give Jake the opportunity to play with Krech again. He's done that before.
"I know he looks up to Taylor Hall, so maybe that will spur him on a little bit more, a guy that has played in the top six. Kuhly's played with Coyle before as well - some speed on that right side, which Charlie's used to now with Jake.
"Either way, we thought we'd be covered. Again, just got to go out and play your own game no matter what line you're on. That's the way we're gonna start and see how it ends up…hopefully it's a good fit for everybody."

Room for Improvement

Despite a strong Game 1 performance, Cassidy is looking for some improvements from his club, particularly when it comes to handling the Islanders forecheck, which gave Boston fits early on in the series opener.
"I thought we had some unforced errors and some forced errors that we didn't have appropriate support," said Cassidy. "It's up to the forwards to get there for the D and try to hold up as best they can within the rules. D get back, make good decisions, get your feet moving.
"And then try to control the faceoff dot…that will allow you to play behind them and build some momentum. Those are some areas I thought we could have been better with early on. From there, neutral zone I thought they got behind us a couple times…we've got to clean that up."

Opposing View

Islanders coach Barry Trotz does not plan on making any changes to his skaters for Game 2 but would not confirm whether Ilya Sorokin or Semyon Varlamov would get the start in goal.
"It's gonna be a Russian, left-handed goaltender," Trotz quipped during his Monday morning media availability.
Cassidy said that the Bruins approach will not change no matter which netminder gets the call.
"We obviously have a scouting report on each goalie's tendencies," said Cassidy. "For us, there's a couple of tenets that we live by, force him to find pucks in traffic so get to the front of the net; force him to control rebounds so when you have a chance to play off the shot, make sure you put it in a spot where it's not an easy glove save for him."

By the Numbers

• The Bruins have a 38-18 record all-time in Game 2s of best-of-seven series when they have won the first game.
• Tuukka Rask is playing his 100th NHL playoff game tonight.
• Brad Marchand is one point shy of his 100th NHL playoff point.
• Bruce Cassidy's next win will move him past Art Ross (32) for second on the team's all-time coaching playoff wins list.

Monday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Jake DeBrusk
Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Karson Kuhlman
Sean Kuraly - Curtis Lazar - Chris Wagner
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Jeremy Lauzon - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Jeremy Swayman