David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm are both practicing back home at Warrior Ice Arena with hopes of making a return to play as soon as possible. "They skated today in Boston so closer for the weekend, but I haven't heard whether they'll be in or out," said Cassidy.
As for Linus Ullmark, he is looking promising for a potential return to action this weekend against either the Rangers or Canadiens. "I believe Ullmark will definitely play this weekend," said Cassidy. "If he has no setbacks [on Thursday]."
With the B's having a back-to-back coming up with a home tilt against the Rangers at 3 p.m. and a matchup in Montreal on Sunday at 7 p.m., Cassidy is hoping to have Ullmark back, though the B's do have Troy Grosenick as an option as well. "Linus is the closest to getting back in so that's good with the back-to-back," said Cassidy. "Obviously Grosenick's here and would use him if need be."
As for looking ahead to the playoffs, making it there - and making it through - at full strength takes a little bit of luck, "I think teams that get through the playoffs without injuries, there's a little bit of fortune to it," said Cassidy. "Sometimes it's previous history, some guys tend not to get hurt, so it's a little bit of that."
Having trust in the next guy up is the name of the game when it comes to getting through the playoffs, and the B's are no stranger to that having gone through stretches without top players such as Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Pastrnak this season.
"If someone does go down, other people have to pick up the pieces, that's just the way it works," said Cassidy.
