Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy updated reporters on a pair of injuries to the Bruins defense on Tuesday.

Kevan Miller is expected to stay in the Boston lineup for Wednesday’s Game 3 against the Washington Capitals, Cassidy confirmed. Miller had to leave the game in the first period to get stitches before, in classic hockey player style, returning to the ice.

“He’s good to go,” Cassidy said of Miller. “He got a nasty cut from one of the hits. It wasn’t his previous injury, which is good news. He got stitched up and went back out there. [He’s] a little sensitive today, but should be good to go tomorrow, assuming there’s no issues with that.”

The news was less promising on left-shot defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, who missed Game 2 with an undisclosed injury. Connor Clifton replaced him in the Bruins lineup for Game 2. Cassidy indicated that he will stay for Game 3, along with the rest of the lineup.

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  “He won’t be available tomorrow [for Game 3]," Cassidy said. "He’s dealing with an injury and he’s day-to-day, but he won’t be available tomorrow.”
  
  Miller's injury led to even more ice time for No. 1 defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who played a team-high 26:49. With McAvoy on the ice at 5-on-5, the Bruins generated 66 percent of the total shot attempts (35-18) and outscored the Caps 4-0.
  
  Game 3 takes place at TD Garden on Wednesday night with an earlier start time of 6:30 p.m. You can hear the call of the game on 98.5 The Sports Hub, starting with pregame at 6.

Ty Anderson and I discussed the Bruins defense, among many other topics, in our own postgame podcast after Game 2. Have a listen above.

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  In his first two games against the Capitals, Pastrnak has notched two assists, so he's been more than a big nothing. He's also found himself in position to score on several occasions. He just isn't finishing enough of his opportunities.
  
  After being the team's most active player in Game 1 (team-leading seven shot attempts and three high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5), Pastrnak took a step back in Game 2. Only three shot attempts at 5-on-5, none of them in a high-danger area. He had a noticeably bad missed shot attempt when he whiffed on a wide-open net in the third period.
  
  The strongest indication that Pastrnak could just be snakebitten right now: the Bruins had a team-high 70.6 percent shot attempt share with Pastrnak on the ice at 5-on-5 Monday night. Whether he's netting the puck or not, he draws enough attention to generate chances.

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  Despite the Bruins' elevated urgency and resiliency in Game 2, the Caps' defensemen aren't getting any smaller. It's going to be a challenge for Pastrnak to find favorably open ice and for his teammates to find him. So when the scoring chances arise, he's going to need to put the finishing touches on them at some point.
  
  If the Bruins are going to go on a legitimate Stanley Cup run, Pastrnak is going to have to be a bigger factor. He's gone beyond the first steps toward that so far in the series.
  
  It's time for the next one.

• NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

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  May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (left) reacts after scoring the winning goal against the Washington Capitals during the first overtime period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
• NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

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  May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (40) in goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

• NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

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  May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20) face off during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

• NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

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  May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) scores a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
• NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

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  May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

• NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals

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  May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Zach Fucale (39) attempts a shot on Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (40) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

MORE: Bruins’ best answer the bell in Game 2

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster 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? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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