Game Day Thread: Preds @ Bruins

Today is a matinee game at the TD Garden. The visiting team are the Preds.

The Bruins have been playing some decent hockey lately, beating the Habs in Montreal, and the Ducks at home. I’m not sure that either opponent brought their “A” game, but those are two good teams to have beaten.

Patrice Bergeron rejoined practice on Wednesday, and is a game-time decision for today’s tilt. Other injured Bruins have been at practice — Zdeno Chara, Urho Vaakanainen, Kevan Miller and Jake DeBrusk. Vaakanainen may not be called on to play for Boston in the near future, but will appear it the IIHF World Juniors representing Finland.

WHAT DOES THIS GIVE US FOR LINES?
On Friday, Bergeron & Marchand skated with Danton Heinen, pushing Pastrnak with Krejci and Nordstrom. It was unclear whether JFK or Noel Acciari would be pushed off the island by the addition of the veteran center. If Bergeron does not play, it is likely that coach Cassidy reverts to the lines used from the last two games.

Bruins Forward Lines
Brad Marchand	Patrice Bergeron	Danton Heinen
Joakim Nordstrom	David Krejci	David Pastrnak
Ryan Donato	#23 Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson	Chris Wagner
Sean Kuraly	Colby Cave, man	David Backes
Bruins Defensive pairs
Torey Krug	Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk	Charlie McAvoy
John Moore	Steven Kampfer
Bruins Goaltending
#41 Jaroslav Halak	(#40 Tuukka Rask)

Today we get to see the Preds in our barn. The Predators are 3rd in the Western conference, and have been one of the best teams in the league all year. And while the Bruins have been a top #2 or #3 defense this season, it is the Preds who’ve been #1 in fewest goals allowed, in part due to the excelleng goaltending of Pekka Rinne. This may be a fortunate time for the Bruins to meet them, because they are currently missing Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, Matias Ekholm and P.K. Subban. Ekholm and Colton Sissons are possible for today. This gives us a chance to see old friends Zac Rinaldo and Matt Irwin. Admit it, you’ve wanted to see Zac Rinaldo again.

(h/t Daily Faceoff):

Preds Forwards
Ryan Hartman — Ryan Johansen — Kevin Fiala
Calle Jarnkrok — Kyle Turris — Craig Smith
Miikka Salomaki — Nick Bonino — Austin Watson
Zac Rinaldo — Frederick Gaudreau — Rocco Grimaldi

Preds Defense
Roman Josi — Yannick Weber
Dan Hamhuis — Ryan Ellis
Anthony Bitetto — Matt Irwin

Preds Goaltending
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros