Bruins Expected Lineup vs. Tampa Bay

The Boston Bruins had full participation in today's morning skate with the exception of Nathan Horton who is still day-to-day, nursing a wrist injury. Claude Julien's group is pretty much fully healthy and should be ready to go come puck drop Thursday night. In this morning's practice the Bruins rushed the same lines from Sunday and Tuesday's games. The only difference is Claude had his playoff defensive pairings skating together.

The expected lineup is as follows:

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin

Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Rich Peverley

Chris Kelly-Carl Soderberg-Jaromir Jagr

Daniel Paille-Gregory Campell-Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg

Dougie Hamilton-Johnny Boychuk

Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid

Tuukka Rask/Anton Khudobin

Expected lineup vs. Philadelphia tonight; Additional game notes

Adam McQuaid participated in today's morning skate at the Wells Fargo Arena, the home of the Flyers.  The blue-liner was questionable as to whether or not he would play after sitting out Sunday's game against Florida. McQuaid was banged up Saturday when Matt Cooke of Pittsburgh targeted his lower body on what appeared to be a dirty hit. McQuaid is likely to play.

Assuming McQuaid gets the nod on the back end for Boston, Dougie Hamilton is a likely healthy scratch. Hamilton has played more games than any other Bruin this season, playing in 32 tilts during the NHL lockout. Post season success hinges on how effective the rookie can be. Rest will keep him sharp.

Anton Khudobin is expected in net. Tuukka Rask has played in two cosecutive.

Nathan Horton will sit this one out. He is nursing a wrist injury.

Claude Julien rolled the same lines from Sunday this morning. The projected lineup is as follows:

Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin
Lucic-Krejci-Peverley
Kelly-Soderberg-Jagr
Paille-Campell-Thornton

Chara-Boychuk
Bartkowski-Seidenberg
Ference-McQuaid

Khudobin/Rask

Bruins Cancel Morning Skate; Status of Game Tonight Unkown

Both the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins have cancelled their morning skate in wake of the unfolding events taking place as we speak. Last night a shootout took place in Watertown as Police apprehended the suspects at the home they had been staying at. One of the suspects was killed in the gun fight. The other is currently on the loose, said to be armed and dangerous, and his where abouts are unknown. MIT police officer Sean Collier lost his life in the process.

Boston, Watertown, Waltham, Newton, Belmont, and Cambridge are all on high alert and said to be shutdown completely. People are urged to stay indoors.

The status of tonight's game at TD Garden is unknown at this time. In all likelyhood the game will postponed as hockey seems rather trivial at this point. 

Bruins hold practice; Lucic demoted again

Jaromir Jagr conducts the team's stretch prior to the close
of practice.

It was back to work for the Boston Bruins, as they held practice this morning at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington. Each Bruin was accounted for. Claude Julien unveiled his newest rendition of lineup that has been in constant flux these past few weeks.

It was Milan Lucic, Kaspar Daugavins, and Jay Pandolfo sporting the green forward jerseys. The green signifying Boston's 5th line or likely healthy scratches. The three rotated in with their teammates during line rushes.

Gold jersey line: Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
White jersey line: Danny Paille-David Krejci- Nathan Horton
Grey jersey line: Carl Soderberg-Chris Kelly-Jaromir Jagr
Merlot jersey line: Greg Campell-Rich Peverley-Shawn Thornton

Playing without Milan Lucic Friday night is not out of the realm of possibility. It's actually quite likely. The bruiser has been in a slump for a significant amount of time now. Hopefully his recent free-fall in the lineup will serve as a wake up call as the postseason nears.

Game 43: Bruins vs. Sabres Preview

The Black-and-Gold return to action Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres. It will be the B’s first game back following the horrific Marathon bombing Monday afternoon. Their tilt against Ottawa was postponed and rescheduled in wake of the tragic events. Following practice Tuesday morning, the Bruins pledged to “play their hearts out” for a city in need of emotional relief.

Boston (26-11-4) will play host to Buffalo (18-19-6) in what will be the fifth and final meeting between the two clubs this year. The Bruins will be looking to win the season series. Each team has won two games a piece.

The B’s hope to snap a two game skid and will be getting some help in doing so. Patrice Bergeron, Boston’s heart and soul, is set for a return to action. Bergeron had sat out the prior six games with a mild concussion. His presence in the lineup will certainly help to solidify a group that has shown its fair share of inconsistencies in his absence. Brad Marchand will make his return as well. It is clear what his talents bring and mean to the team.

Buffalo comes into Boston having won three of their last five contests. A strong showing thus far in the month of April has the Sabres sitting only four points back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Clinging to postseason hopes, the Sabres face a must win situation in this one.

Expect veteran leaders Thomas Vanek, Steve Ott, and Ryan Miller to have their guys ready go. The Sabres will be skating with great desperation and intensity. Buffalo has a “nothing to lose” attitude and is fully aware the fate of their season hinges on every play. 

As for the Bruins, finding their stride with the playoffs rapidly approaching, is at the forefront of the to do list. Jaromir Jagr, Gregory Campell, and Tyler Seguin have been three of Boston’s hottest players. Each has stepped up their production in significant fashion with Bergeron and Marchand being out. Anton Khudobin is likely to the get the start in goal for the B’s. Anton is 2-1 against the Sabres this season. His last time out, Khudobin blanked Buffalo 2-0 at the First Niagara Center.

Emerging as victors at TD Garden would be an immense lift for the thousands affected by the recent despicable acts. The city of Boston is more than deserving of another Stanley Cup. In speaking to the media following today’s morning skate, Claude Julien said, “it’s all the same goal, to win the Stanley Cup.” The Bruins are getting healthy at the right time and the addition of Carl Soderberg makes the B’s a very deep, multi-faceted, dangerously versatile group.

All great runs begin somewhere and what better night to get it all started than tonight against a hated divisional rival. Boston will clinch their highly elusive postseason birth with a win. Soderberg did practice with the team Wednesday. He will wear #34 and it’s not yet clear if the Swedish newcomer will start. Andrew Ference will get a scheduled night of rest and Wade Redden will make his Bruins debut.

According to today’s morning skate, the Boston lineup projects as follows:

Campell-Krejci-Jagr

Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin

Paille-Kelly-Horton

Lucic-Peverley-Thornton

Chara-Boychuk

Seidenberg-Hamilton

McQuaid-Redden

Khudobin/Rask

Bergeron set to Return

The Boston Bruins received some incredible news yesterday regarding Patrice Bergeron, arguably the team’s best player. Bergeron has been sidelined since an April 2^nd victory over Ottawa. He was awkwardly struck in the head by a Colin Greening elbow while bearing down on a back check. Patrice left the game and did not return. He was diagnosed with a “mild concussion.”

The team’s doctors medically cleared Bergeron for a return to game action. When the news broke just after the B’s morning skate, the entire Boston organization, fans, and Patrice himself, exhaled in unison. At only 27 years of age and already a victim to four concussions, things looked bleak for the 2012 Selke winner.

Miraculously, Bergeron only sat out a modest seven games this time around. Under the supervision of the astute Boston training staff, his road to recovery saw steady improvements each day. Bergeron spoke about the news, saying “I want to get back out there, I feel good, feel confident-we're taking time and there's a reason for that, so I'm not hesitant and feel good.”

The center man’s presence in the Boston lineup is vitally important to the success of the club. In his absence the Bruins struggled offensively, showing little chemistry as a group. Claude Julien was forced to shuffle his lines and nothing seemed to work. Bergeron brings stability, dependability, and an unrivaled hockey sense.

Ultimately the final ruling as to when Bergeron actually plays is up to the coaching and training staff.  Patrice is on record saying he’s “ready to go” and that he felt he could play. It still remains to be seen as to when he will actually be re-inserted. Though from the looks of things over on Causeway, Bergy will most likely skate in the B’s next game.

Patrice was slotted alongside Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin in the AM skate. Carl Soderberg is scheduled to join Boston on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. He projects to slide in somewhere within the bottom nine forwards. As the playoffs near, things are beginning to shape up for the Black-and-Gold.

Game 42: Bruins vs. Senators Preview

Boston Bruins: 26-11-4 Ottawa Senators: 21-14-6

The Boston Bruins will play host to the Ottawa Senators Monday night at TD Garden. It will be the fifth and final time these two squads will meet this season. After beating the Senators in each of the previous four meetings, the B’s will be looking for the clean sweep of their divisional rival.

The Black-and-Gold have had a stranglehold on the Sens, winning 14 of their last 15 head to head matchups. This game comes at a perfect time for the Bruins, as they hope to avoid three straight losses. Boston has not dropped three consecutive games yet this season, largely due to their uncanny ability to bounce back when facing adverse situations.

Since losing to Boston, 3-2, back on April 2, Ottawa has been defeated in three of their last five contests. Once hot the heels of the Bruins, the Senators have since fallen behind. They now trail the B’s by 8 points in the standings and are fighting for their playoff lives.

Tyler Seguin has registered a goal in each of his last three games. Seguin scored his last time out against Ottawa and will look to continue his hot streak. Milan Lucic is another player to watch. The bruising winger had been under a lot of scrutiny for his lack of production. Lucic potted his sixth goal Saturday, snapping a nine game scoreless drought in a 4-2 loss at Carolina. Like Seguin, Lucic has had recent success against the Sens, picking up two assists in the same tilt. Jaromir Jagr (points in 4 straight games) and Gregory Campell (points in 3 of 4 games) are also hopeful to continue their recent successful runs.

Ottawa is a club that will be playing with great desperation. Their recent slide has put them in a difficult predicament and winning is really a must from here on out. Senator captain Daniel Alfredsson is always up for the big games and will certainly have has teammates ready to go. Craig Anderson will likely be in net for the Sens. He has yet to face Boston this season and is a ghastly 1-7 (4.20 GAA) in his last eight tries facing them.

The likelihood of either team’s offense playing a prominent role in this game is slim. Each of Boston’s four victories over Ottawa has been by one goal.  One game required overtime and another a shootout. The most goals posted in the season series have been three, done twice by Boston. Tuukka Rask is a logical choice to start in net for the B’s. He has shown little trouble in facing the Sens, beating them in each of his four career starts.

A victory for Boston will lock up a playoff spot and put them in a position to leapfrog the Canadiens pending the result of their game against the Flyers. Patrice Bergeron is close to making a return to the lineup and Swedish phenom Carl Soderberg will be joining the club come Tuesday. The pieces seem to falling into place for the B’s just as they approach postseason play. Picking up a win would serve as an important building block with only six games remaining after Monday.

Projected line combinations:

Paille-Krejci-Horton

Lucic-Campel-Jagr

Caron-Kelly-Seguin

Daugavins-Peverley-Thornton

Hamilton-Chara

Ference-Seidenberg

Bartkowski-Boychuk

Rask/Khudobin

Bruins beaten by the Isles, 2-1

The Islander bench congratulates Josh Bailey after scoring
one of his two goals. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The Boston Bruins, plagued by fatigue, fell to the New York Islanders Thursday night. The Isles defeated the B’s, 2-1. With the victory, New York improved to 5-0-1 in their last 6 games and avoids the dreaded season sweep. Boston lost its top spot in the Northeast and moved back into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. It was a night full of missed opportunities. The Black-and-Gold seemed to be a step late all evening long.

Josh Bailey was the difference in this hockey game. The 23-year old winger scored both Islander goals and it was all that they would need. His first tally came with just 21 seconds remaining in the first period. Boston turned the puck over, Bailey gobbled it up, and ripped one top shelf by Rask on the glove side. The Isles would take a 1-0 lead to the dressing room and into the second frame.

Boston opened up the scoring in the second. Tyler Seguin notched a power play goal at 3:41 of the period.  Jaromir Jagr and Greg Campell both picked up assists on the play. It was the B’s second PP goal in as many nights. The final scoring strike of the game came at 13:12 of the period. Josh Bailey was unopposed on a strong net drive and ended up beating Rask for the game winner. 

After playing 3 games in 4 nights, Boston’s finest seemed to fade away as the game progressed, as tired legs caught up to them. The Bruins started out like a house on fire, heavily outshooting the Isles in the opening twenty-minutes. New York tilted the ice in their favor at a steady clip following that. Boston was unable to convert on numerous scoring chances and it ultimately cost them two points.

Excuses aside, the game was there for the taking and Boston failed to capitalize. For some odd reason, Claude Julien decided to tinker with the lines once again and it proved costly. Playing without leading scorer Brad Marchand, the B’s offense looked invisible at times, especially in the third. In the games most crucial moments the Bruins seemed to fumble the puck away and misfire.

Lets not take anything away from the phenomenal blue collared effort the Islanders put forth in this one. New York knew what they were up against and showed up ready to roll. Chasing a playoff spot, the Isles put their skills to the test and left the Garden feeling excellent about their chances moving forward. They played a sound defensive game, stifling the Bruins top scorers from finishing off plays that should have been finished.  Evgeni Nabokov was a huge contributing factor in the success New York had. The veteran net minder turned away 30 of 31 shots.

For Boston, Tuukka Rask kept his club in the game for the full sixty. Rask made 34 saves and withstood several series of sustained Islander attacks in which several shots were fired toward him. The loose defensive play exhibited by the Bruins defensemen has become a highly unsettling trend, as they have looked beatable for weeks now. If it wasn’t for the elite goaltending the Bruins tenders have been turning in nightly now, things would look much worse.

The B’s will get a day off, rest, and regroup before traveling to Carolina Saturday night. In the mean time, many aspects of their game need to ironed out. Most importantly, Claude needs to find functional line pairings and stick to them. This Bruins team may be winners of 5 of their last 7, but that is largely due to the spectacular goaltending they have gotten. With Marchand and Bergeron out with concussions until further notice, the B’s must to dig deep and believe in one another.

By no means should the Bruins push the panic button. The Islanders are formidable opponents who were hungry and desperate for a win. Obviously the lack of production is a cause for concern, but it’s nothing that a veteran savvy group cannot work out. The continued success Tyler Seguin, Jaromir Jagr, and Gregory Campell are having is more than encouraging.