Bruins Game Day: McQuaid remains odd-man out; Rask named NHL's first star

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- When a team is 9-1-2 in its last 12 games and have earned points in eight straight with a 6-0-2 record, it's a simple decision for a coach to stick with the same lineup. That's certainly been the case for the Boston Bruins and Bruce Cassidy.

Currently, there are zero game-time decisions to be made, the roster is healthy and Cassidy has options if needed. The decisions he's making are in the best interest of the team, but that doesn't make it any easier, especially when it comes to defenseman Adam McQuaid.

He's missed 31 games since breaking his right fibula on Oct. 19 and he won't be in the lineup again tonight when the Bruins face the New York Islanders at Barclays Center. McQuaid was medically cleared to return last week, but given the fact he hasn't had many full practices with the team, along with the team enjoying success, it's been a hard decision for Cassidy to keep McQuaid out of the lineup. After all, he landed on injured reserve by sacrificing his body when he broke his leg by blocking two shots on the same shift.

“Yes. Very difficult,” Cassidy said. “I’ve had Adam for a long time. We talked about ‘why.’ We want the right time for him, but it’s a little tougher because our lineup is going well. The (defensive) pairs seem to be meshing, but that’s the competition we talk about. When Adam gets in there you’re going to see, hopefully, an extra push to because ‘I don’t want to be the guy that going out.’ We’ve seen it up front with a couple of positions and now you’re seeing it on defense.”



The Bruins held an optional morning skate, and while the majority of the players were on the bus back to the hotel, McQuaid, Frank Vatrano, Anders Bjork, Paul Postma and Anton Khudobin remained on the ice for extra work.

"It's been different," admitted McQuaid. "I'm still working hard to continue to feel better and better. I'm hoping when I get back that I'll be in a better position to succeed and feel that much better."

Cassidy has been honest with all the players this season when he's had to make a difficult decision about the lineup. Even though McQuaid is ready, he understands the situation. It also helps that he's known Cassidy since the two worked together in Providence.