What to Expect in Bruce Cassidy’s Return to Boston

Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy spent six years as the head coach of the Boston Bruins and 14 years with the organization. The Ottawa native worked his way up through the minors with the Providence Bruins before replacing Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup Champion coach Claude Julien as the B's head coach.

Now leading the top team in the Western Conference, Cassidy will make his return to Boston Monday night at 4:00 p.m.

Cassidy had tremendous success with the Bruins, with zero losing seasons and six trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He won the Jack Adams Trophy for coach of the year in 2019-20 and was one win off winning the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2019 against Alex Pietrangelo and the St. Louis Blues.

"Good memories. I walked out to the home bench just to see what it was like. I have been in that spot a lot. I used to always look at the banners up top as I wanted to hang one. That didn't happen. But still, great memories," said Cassidy after the Golden Knights skated on Sunday.

The Golden Knights poked fun at Cassidy's return, and had him lead the team stretch following morning skate.

"It was tough getting down there with a fake knee and hip but I made it,"Cassidy joked.

Having a coach return is a little bit different than having a player return. For obvious reasons, fans gravitate toward the performers on the ice. But coaches obviously also put in tons of work for the betterment of teams. Expect a short video tribute from the Bruins organization and some fan love.

"Part of me wants to just get through it, but a part of me is curious to see the reaction. I still have friends here at the rink and in the community. I was with the organization for 14 years. My kids were born in New England. I still have a house in Cape Cod that I want to go back to and not have people throw eggs at it, you know?" Cassidy told Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com.

The breakup between the Bruins and Cassidy was an unexpected one. It came after the Bruins lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes in game seven. Many people, including Cassidy, were shocked by the decision. As one of the better coaches in the league, the Golden Knights made sure to snag Cassidy after letting go of former head coach Pete DeBoer.

Cassidy has led the Golden Knights to a 18-7-1 record so far this season, good for first in the Pacific Division. The Bruins, led by new head coach Jim Montgomery, are the league's best with a 20-3-0 record and still have zero home losses on the season in 14 contests.

Monday night's matchup will be against the two top teams in the league in terms of standings. It will be a huge measuring stick game for the Golden Knights, who look to slay the Bruins at home, a feat that has still not been accomplished this season.

"We are playing the best team that is out there right now. Once the game is over we will need to see where we need to be better and where we are good," said Cassidy.

Luckily for the Golden Knights, Bruce Cassidy knows a thing or two about the Boston Bruins.

"I have noticed that our record against the Atlantic Division is really good. I know those teams a little better and can really help the pre-scout… we gotta another Atlantic Division one tomorrow that I should know about. I know the Bruins, they have obviously changed some things. They are playing great hockey and it will be a big challenge for us," Cassidy said Sunday.

The Golden Knights will play Monday's game without at least one of their superstar players, possibly two. 

Alex Pietrangelo will offically miss the entire Golden Knights four-game road trip due to personal reasons. Massaschutches native Jack Eichel is a game-time deicision after he left the third period of the VGK's win over the Detroit Red Wings with an apparent left leg injury. He skated prior to morning skate.