Marcus Johansson of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck in the first period of a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 11, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Bruins winger Marcus Johansson and defenseman John Moore are both “trending well” toward returning to the lineup, head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Wednesday. They could play as soon as Wednesday night in Game 4 against the Maple Leafs.
Cassidy said that if Johansson can play on Wednesday, he’d replace Karson Kuhlman in the lineup. Moore would replace Steven Kampfer on the back end.
Both players would have a chance to give the B’s roster a noticeable jolt. Johansson didn’t play particularly well in Game 1, registering three shots on goal, before missing the last two with an illness. But he still brings more speed and offensive upside to the lineup than Kuhlman.
Pregame updates per Bruce Cassidy:
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 17, 2019
John Moore and Marcus Johansson are “trending well” and if they feel good enough they’ll go back in tonight.
Steven Kampfer and Karson Kuhlman would likely be the scratches. pic.twitter.com/V36SXkRgoB
Moore, meanwhile, should be a significant boost for the Bruins’ blue line after missing all three games so far with an upper body injury. His skating and ability to push the puck up ice could help the B’s break the puck out of their own zone better.
Breakouts and defensive zone turnovers were a major issue for the Bruins in Game 3, which they lost 3-2. Kampfer tried to tie up John Tavares in the corner on the third goal, but couldn’t stop him from making the centering pass that led to Andreas Johnsson’s eventual game-winner.
The return of these two to the Bruins roster would be a step in the right direction. But ultimately, it’ll be on the top line to simply play better than they have in order for the Bruins to tie the series 2-2.
Ty Anderson and I talked about the possibility of both Johansson and Moore returning for Game 4 in a new podcast on Tuesday. Ty believes that Moore, in particular, was signed specifically for an opponent like the Maple Leafs. Listen to the full podcast below:
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.