Boston forward Craig Smith, who signed with the Bruins in the offseason after nine years in Nashville, had 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points during the regular season. He has a goal and two assists in the playoffs. Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press
Craig Smith appears likely to be back in the Boston Bruins lineup when their second-round series against the New York Islanders resumes Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.
Smith left Game 1 in the third period and didn’t dress for Game 2 with a lower-body injury, but was back practice on Wednesday.
“He looks a lot better. That’s a good development for us. We weren’t sure to be honest,” Bruins Coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He made it through the entire practice. That’s a good sign. Tomorrow morning, we’ll see if there’s any residual effects. If not, I assume he’ll be in the lineup.”
Smith, who has flourished on the second line with Krejci and Hall, skated with them in practice Wednesday.
Smith, who signed with Boston in the offseason after nine years in Nashville, had 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points during the regular season. He has a goal and two assists in the playoffs.
VETERAN DEFENSEMAN Kevan Miller, who has been out since taking a hit to the head against the Washington Capitals, took a step forward and skated before practice on Wednesday, but he wasn’t part of the main group and won’t play in Game 3. Jakub Zboril, who’d be a depth option when he’s ready, practiced Wednesday as well.
“Kevan Miller not ready,” Cassidy said. “Zboril is getting closer if we decide to go down that road down the road. The rest of the guys are status quo.”
Cassidy reiterated that goalie Tuukka Rask was fine and ready for Game 3. “He’s fine. Tuukka’s been ready to go every playoff game. There’s no issue there,” Cassidy said.
JAKE DEBRUSK wasn’t given a penalty on the play, but the Bruins’ forward’s wallet will still take a hit from a play in Boston’s 4-3 loss to the Islanders in Game 2.
DeBrusk was fined $5,000 by the NHL Department of Player Safety fined him the maximum for cross-checking Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield during Game 2.
The incident occurred at 13:04 of the third period. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.”
DeBrusk and Mayfield were shoving, holding and pushing each other in front of the New York net with about 13:04 left of the third period before DeBrusk gave the Mayfield a crosscheck that earned him the fine.
ISLANDERS FORWARD Oliver Wahlstrom, who hasn’t played in this series, skated at the practice and is listed as day-to-day, but Coach Barry Trotz expected to use the same lineup as Game 2.
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