More than a handful of Bruins players are very familiar with interim coach Bruce Cassidy, who directed the full squad through his second practice Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena. Cassidy spent eight years (five as head coach) with Providence, where so many of the varsity Bruins got their first training as professional players.

“I definitely have some familiarity with him,’’ said Frank Vatrano. “I have a good relationship with him. He’s been huge for my development ever since I turned pro, so I can speak for some of the guys who came here with me from Providence last year.

“He’s a great coach, he expects a lot out of you and holds you accountable for stuff. So for me, I love playing for him.’’

Vatrano did not, however, expect sudden shifts in the Bruins’ play.

“Claude [Julien] and Butchie kind of have the same mentality: play with pace, play with pace,’’ Vatrano said. “Butchie tries to kind of emphasize that a little bit more.

“You know pace is a big thing in hockey. If you want to play this game, you’ve got to skate. If you want to be successful, you’ve got to skate. So that’s what we talked about yesterday in the meeting.’’

Cassidy tinkered with line combinations at practice, moving David Backes to wing alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, and putting David Pastrnak with David Krejci and Matt Beleskey. Ryan Spooner centered Vatrano and Jimmy Hayes, and Dominic Moore’s line had Tim Schaller, Riley Nash, and newcomer Peter Cehlarik.

Without Zdeno Chara, who missed his second day because he is “under the weather,’’ the defense featured Brandon Carlo and John-Michael Liles, Torey Krug and Adam McQuaid, Kevan Miller and Colin Miller, and Joe Morrow.

Cassidy isn’t committing to those combinations. He’s taking some time to see if he can stir up more offense by shifting assignments.

“The lines are fluid right now,’’ Cassidy said. “We’re looking for what’s going to be the best for the team, the group, without ripping everything apart.

“We know Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak have been arguably the best line in the National Hockey League, so we want to spread some of that around. And that’s a group collaboration, including our top-end players that have been around. We respect their opinion.

“After that, we’ll see how it shakes out. The best players will play and hopefully they’re in the right spots and the right combinations.’’

Game-time decision

Cassidy said Chara would be a game-time decision for Thursday’s home contest against the Sharks . . . Cehlarik, the leading goal scorer in Providence (18-15—33 in 40 games), was called up Monday, and still looked a little bewildered. He said he hoped to have success by working the front of the net, as he has in Providence. “I want to keep my feet moving, I guess,’’ he said. “It’s a fast game.’’ As for the whirlwind of activity with the coaching change, it all happened before he got to Boston. “I never had a chance to meet Claude personally,’’ said Cehlarik.

Khudobin back up

The No. 2 goalie position also remains fluid. Anton Khudobin was back in Brighton Wednesday, and Zane McIntyre was sent to Providence.

“I do what I’m told,’’ Khudobin said. “Last night I played a game in Albany . . . and they told me to come here, so I drove back to my apartment here and showed up at practice.’’

The Bruins are still lacking a reliable backup for Tuukka Rask.

“It’s great if your No. 2 can push the No. 1,’’ Cassidy said. “Give him the appropriate rest, and internal competition, I think that’s always great.’’

Cassidy said it’s difficult for a team to win, or get to the playoffs, if both goalies aren’t playing well.

“We’re not in that position right now, obviously,’’ he said.

Khudobin backed Providence to a 4-1 victory over the Albany Devils, making 19 saves. In the AHL this season, he is 7-3-1 with a 2.69 goals against average and .896 save percentage.

As for Cassidy as a practice boss, Khudobin said, “It’s faster, quicker, shots are harder, but it’s more interesting.’’

Close attention

After the full practice, skating coach Kim Brandvold worked with some players, including Spooner, Vatrano, Hayes, and Carlo.

With Brandvold, players get close attention as they work on little skills, skating, and puckhandling.

“I think he’s a terrific asset,’’ Cassidy said.

“We’ve had a couple of practices here that were quite a bit longer than if it was the normal course of year, especially in February.

“To have a guy after practice, for players to get some one-on-one, I think it’s great, especially for the younger guys. To have a guy out there to push the younger guys, that’s what he’s here for.’’