Projected lines, pairings for Bruins vs. Islanders Game 1

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The Boston Bruins are well-rested entering Game 1 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the New York Islanders on Saturday night at TD Garden.

The B's eliminated the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the first-round last Sunday. So, they've had almost a week off between the two rounds. For a veteran team with some injuries on the blue line, the rest should be a benefit for the Bruins.

We shouldn't expect any major lineup changes for Boston going into Round 2. Same for the Islanders, who eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of their Round 1 series Wednesday night.

However, the Bruins will get defenseman Jeremy Lauzon back in the lineup. Cassidy confirmed Lauzon's return Saturday morning. Lauzon missed the last four games of the first round because of injury.

Tuukka Rask will start in net for the Bruins and Ilya Sorokin should start for the Islanders.

Complete preview and prediction for Bruins vs. Islanders series

Home ice advantage could also be a huge boost for the Bruins in this series, and Saturday night in particular. The series opener will be the first game of the Bruins' season with TD Garden at a near-full capacity. Massachusetts lifted its COVID-19 restrictions Saturday.

Here are the projected lines and pairings for Bruins vs. Islanders Game 1.

BOSTON BRUINS

FORWARDS

Brad Marchand--Patrice Bergeron--David Pastrnak

Taylor Hall--David Krejci--Craig Smith

Nick Ritchie--Charlie Coyle--Jake DeBrusk

Sean Kuraly--Curtis Lazar--Chris Wagner

DEFENSEMEN

Matt Grzelcyk--Charlie McAvoy

Mike Reilly--Brandon Carlo

Jeremy Lauzon--Connor Clifton

GOALIES

Tuukka Rask (starter), Jeremy Swayman (backup)

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

FORWARDS

Leo Komarov--Matthew Barzal--Jordan Eberle

Anthony Beauvillier--Brock Nelson--Josh Bailey

Kyle Palmieri--John-Gabriel Pageau--Travis Zajac

Matt Martin--Casey Cizikas--Cal Clutterbuck

DEFENSEMEN

Adam Pelech--Ryan Pulock

Nick Leddy--Scott Mayfield

Andy Greene--Noah Dobson

GOALIES

Ilya Sorokin (starter), Semyon Varlamov (backup)

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