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Grzelcyk Cleared For Game 7; Clifton likely Out

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Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has been cleared for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said Grzelcyk – who has been out since Game 2 with a concussion – will be a game-time decision but is expected to play.

If the Charlestown, MA native plays, Connor Clifton will be the odd man out. Cassidy doesn’t expect any other lineup changes.

“As for the lineup, [Matt] Grzelcyk got cleared yesterday, so he’ll be a game-time decision, but looks like he’ll go in,” Cassidy told the media Wednesday. “Connor] Clifton would probably come out, if that’s your next question. We’ve kind of discussed that internally about all three, sort of, options with John Moore in that mix, but that’s how it’s shaping up, but I guess we’ll see at puck drop how Matt is. He’s going to go out and skate this morning just to make sure.”

Cassidy didn’t seem too worried that jumping into Game 7 after missing four games would be too much too handle for the puck-moving and slick skating Grzelcyk.

“Well I think your adrenaline will carry it through,” Cassidy pointed out. “The one thing about Matt [Grzelcyk] if he does go in missing some games is he’s been skating with us, it’s not like he just jumped on the ice yesterday. He’s been participating albeit non-contact so there’s a little bit of a different animal there, but this time of the year you’re not into a lot of contact in practice anyway so he’s just going to have to understand because he did obviously live the first game and a half with St. Louis.”

He knows they’re physical, he’s been there, he’s been watching, he knows he’s got to get back in a hurry, make good decisions with it, take a hit to make a play if that’s what’s required, which usually is against this team because they’re going to get there. So that’s the challenge in front of him and we’ve had discussions with him about it and he’ll be ready for it.”

Here’s Grzelcyk addressing the media Wednesday morning:

 

 

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