NHL playoffs: Projected lines, pairings for Bruins-Islanders Game 2

The Boston Bruins will be without one of their top-six forwards in Game 2 of their second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the New York Islanders on Monday night.

Second-line right winger Craig Smith will not play, B's head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed after the morning skate. Smith left Game 1 in the second period because of a lower body injury. He's considered day to day, per Cassidy.

Islanders badly in need of Game 2 adjustments vs. B's top-six forwards

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The expectation is DeBrusk will replace Smith at right wing next to David Krejci and Taylor Hall on the second line. That's where DeBrusk was slotted during the morning skate. DeBrusk also played up there in Game 1 after Smith departed, and the results for the entire trio weren't great at 5-on-5. The sample size was only 3:31, though, so pretty small.

No other lineup changes are expected for the Bruins.

Islanders head coach Barry Trotz wouldn't give an exact answer on which goalie will start Monday night at TD Garden, but it would be fairly surprising if Ilya Sorokin didn't get another shot.

Barry Trotz on his Game 2 starter: "It'll be a Russian left-handed goaltender."
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) May 31, 2021

Sorokin wasn't great in the series opener but he wasn't awful, either. He faced a ton of shots and was screened on at least one of the B's first four goals. His rebound control must improve, though.

It also doesn't sound like Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom will enter the lineup.

Trotz: Same skaters, Wahlstrom (lower) getting closer and will see where he is for Game 3. Put "a lot of thought" into goalie choice tonight, wouldn't specify who it is. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) May 31, 2021