Bruce Cassidy ‘Proud’ Of Bruins Game 3 Effort

The Boston Bruins, just hours after the shocking news that Tuukka Rask was opting out of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, turned in a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of their First Round Series. The Bruins now lead the series 2-1, and can gain a stranglehold on Monday night. Head coach Bruce Cassidy appeared quite proud of the way his team navigated a big Saturday afternoon contest.

“Yeah, that’s a good word. Proud, the word I used after the game,” Cassidy told reporters on Sunday. “Proud of Jaro (Halak) for answering the call, on short notice, proud of the young guys that are playing some of their…like Lindholm, not that he’s young but it’s his first real, you know. Jack Studnicka, Clifton comes into the lineup, proud of the way they responded.”

Bruce Cassidy, without David Pastrnak, made numerous lineup changes ahead of Game 3. Lindholm replaced Sean Kuraly as the fourth line center, while Kuraly replaced Nick Ritchie on Charlie Coyle’s wing. Studnicka made his playoff debut with Kuraly and Coyle, while Clifton replaced Jeremy Lauzon.

All three of the new additions to the lineup contributed in the win.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Bruins. Halak made a mistake playing the puck that led directly to the Hurricanes’ lone goal. Even in that moment, Cassidy saw something to be proud of.

“Proud of the way the whole team played. You’re right. After Jaro’s, you know, he tried to get the clear. They read it well,” Cassidy continued. “But right away on the bench Brad Marchand stands up. ‘Hey, that’s not gonna hurt us. We’re fine. We’re playing well,’ and that’s true. The whole bench was like…there was no collective letdown, like ‘Oh boy here it comes.’”