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 Hold Optional Skate; Set to Face Flyers

Gregory Campell centered Boston's merlot line in
 practice today.

The Bruins held an optional practice today at Ristuccia arena in Wilmington. Several of Boston’s top players were absent from the skate and understandably so. Coming off a pair weekend tilts and set to embark on a grueling stretch that features six games in nine days, the Black-and Gold will only benefit from some rest and relaxation. A break in the action will also provide the guys who are banged up with a chance to rejuvenate.

Winger Nathan Horton was one of the many missing today. He is nursing an upper body/wrist injury suffered in a fight with Jarome Iginla. Claude Julien labeled Horton as day-to-day.

Zdeno Chara sat it out as well. Chara looked to be a bit shaken up yesterday after a collision with Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau. Boston’s captain could be seen visibly holding his right leg. He did return and finished out the game. It was a maintenance day for the big man.

Other notable Bruins that opted out from today’s session were Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Chris Kelly, Dennis Seidenberg, Dougie Hamilton, and Matt Bartkowski.

Boston will be in Philadelphia Tuesday night for a showdown with the Flyers.