Analysis: What will the Bruins' lineup look like come playoff time

While conducting our weekly Bruins Q&A on Thursday, many of your questions focused on the Bruins' possible lineup for the Stanley Cup playoffs. No matter what time of the year it is, it's always a fun discussion.

The biggest is: what will the lineup look like once everyone's healthy?



It's a great inquiry. The Bruins clinched a postseason berth during a 2-1 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday at Scottrade Center. As the Bruins enter this weekend's action, the team is still without the services of Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, Rick Nash, Charlie McAvoy, Torey Krug, David Backes and Jake DeBrusk.

This is exactly one reason why general manager Don Sweeney acquired the type of depth prior to the trade deadline. Since the Bruins already clinched a playoff spot, it allows for proper rehab and rest for the injured players without having to rush them back before they're ready. If everything goes according to plan, all of the walking wounded will be ready to go for the start of the playoffs.

With 10 games remaining in the regulation season, if most of them can play in a few of those it would help shed the rust. If coach Bruce Cassidy has everyone at his disposal, he will have some difficult decisions to make, but no doubt he will put the lineup on the ice each game that gives the Bruins the best chance to succeed. The lineup could change throughout the playoffs, based on matchups, success and individual performances.

The other thing to remember is Cassidy is a loyal guy. He'll likely give the players that helped the team reach this point a shot to produce. The team's depth and internal competition bodes well because Cassidy won't hesitate to make lineup changes if needed since the Stanley Cup is on the line.

If everyone is healthy, here's what the lineup could be against the TBA first-round opponent.

Forwards

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Donato-Krejci-Rick Nash
Heinen-Riley Nash-David Backes
Schaller-Kuraly-Acciari

Defense

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller

Goalies

Rask

In the above scenario, the recent addition and early success of rookie forward Ryan Donato could mean DeBrusk is the odd-man out to start. Now, that goes against the theory of Cassidy sticking with the players that helped the team get to the playoffs, but in this case, if Donato stays hot and continues to score goals then the coach has no choice.

DeBrusk is versatile and can play up and down the lineup, but Danton Heinen's game has come around of late and he's spent the majority of the season in third line with Riley Nash and David Backes, so there's already that built-in chemistry. From an offensive standpoint, it also means the newly acquired Brian Gionta and Tommy Wingels will serve as depth insurance.

The fourth line of Tim Schaller, Sean Kuraly and Noel Acciari will remain the same, as it should given the trio's success to create a sustained forecheck, being sound defensively and all work the penalty kill, too.

From a defensive standpoint, here's where it gets interesting. Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy (if healthy) will be the top pair, but what follows remains in question. Brandon Carlo has dealt with inconsistencies in his game all season, but Cassidy has allowed the second-year defenseman to battle through in an attempt to find his game. Newcomer Nick Holden has been valuable since he arrived via trade with the Rangers. Unlike Carlo, who missed the first round of the playoffs last spring against the Senators due to injury, Holden has Stanley Cup playoff experience. In this case, I think Cassidy starts with Carlo and sees how it plays out. Again, a lot depends on the first-round opponent and the matchups Cassidy wants.

Rookie defenseman Matt Grzelcyk has been solid and steady the entire season and should remain in the lineup, along with veteran Kevan Miller, who has produced his best season as a pro. That means the highly-respected veteran and Stanley Cup winner, Adam McQuaid could be the odd-man out on the blue line.

There are so many variables that can occur between now and the start of the postseason, but this lineup looks like it could be the one to start Boston's quest towards a Stanley Cup this spring.