Bruins Off-day Notebook: Riley Nash progressing but not available for Game 2

Riley Nash wore a no-contact sweater and resumed skating during the team's full practice on Friday at Warrior Ice Arena. It's unlikely he'll be ready for Game 2 of the first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at TD Garden.

"Progressing well," said coach Bruce Cassidy. "I don't believe he'll play tomorrow."

Nash received 40-plus stitches in and around his right ear after he was hit in the head by a puck and missed the final five games of the regular season. On Friday, he wouldn't classify it as a concussion, but said he's going through the league's protocol.

"I had some symptoms, I don't know if it was a concussion or it wasn't, but taking a puck to the side of the skull like that didn't feel great," explained Nash. "I don't know if it was a little bit of swelling that was causing those symptoms."



Given that it was a head injury, the team decided to err on the side of caution and make sure Nash was 100 percent before returning to the lineup.

Forward Tommy Wingels is questionable for Game 2 after being on the receiving end of two separate boarding and charging calls on the Leafs' Nazem Kadri during Boston's 5-1 win in Game 1 on Thursday at TD Garden. He had a hearing with the NHL's department of player safety Friday morning. A decision on a possible suspension or fine has not been announced.

Since Riley Nash will be out, and Wingels is questionable, Cassidy has the option to insert either Ryan Donato or Brian Gionta. The coach said he hasn't decided yet, but it appears that Gionta could be inserted into the lineup for Game 2.

"We'll have to think that one through, which we've already begun doing," admitted Cassidy. "Ryan played really well when (he was in the lineup) for those 12 games. We plan on using Ryan at the right time. If he went in we prefer him on the left wing, opposed to center and right, so that factors into (our decision). Danton Heinen can move over. Gio's a right winger, so we've got options there."

If Gionta plays then David Backes would likely play center with Heinen on the left side. If Donato, who had five goals and four assists for nine points, plays then he'll remain on the left side and Heinen could switch to the right with Backes in the middle.

Kiss cam: Brad Marchand has had his sure of moments during his career, especially against the Maple Leafs. So, it shouldn't have been a surprise when he kissed the cheek of Toronto's Leo Komarov during Game 1. It's not the first time Marchand has acted in such a manner, and it won't be the last.

"Sometimes I think he's a little goofy," admitted Cassidy. "I don't mind goofy. It's part of Marchy's personality. If the keeps him on course then great, but if he goes the other way and you start to see other types of behavior, as a coach I recognize it and pull him back in. That stuff's ok. I'm not sure the other guy likes it, but in terms of the league and the big picture, listen, you laugh it off and you move on -- no harm, no foul."

Wonder what other types of gamesmanship Marchand has in his arsenal this spring.