Jakub Lauko will slot into the lineup for Anthony Richard on the fourth line as the Boston Bruins host the Vegas Golden Knights at TD Garden.
The Boston Bruins return to home ice Thursday as they host the Vegas Golden Knights for a 7 p.m. puck drop at TD Garden. The matchup marks the second and final regular season meeting between the teams.
The Bruins are coming off a four-game road trip where, while they collected five of eight points, they dropped three of four contests – most recently Monday’s 4-3 shootout loss against the Seattle Kraken. Boston’s last six games have gone past regulation.
Per Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, Jakub Lauko will slot into the lineup for Anthony Richard and skate on the fourth line with Jesper Boqvist and Justin Brazeau. Lauko last played Feb. 22 against the Calgary Flames.
“To be more intense, to bring that energy. I’ve been working hard lately – off the ice, on the ice…Think I’m in good shape so I’ll try to bring it tonight,” Lauko said following Thursday’s morning skate.
Jan 11, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) and Boston Bruins defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (12) watch a flying puck during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports“Maybe sometimes I am trying too hard. I just need to be calm and play and do what I do. Bring the standard that I set for the majority of last season.”
Jake DeBrusk practiced on the first power play unit Thursday with Morgan Geekie, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. Montgomery said the winger’s presence around the crease will be important.
“Jake has elite hockey sense in his hands – in and tight around the net are excellent, and his ability to make passes from there too,” Montgomery said Thursday.
Jeremy Swayman will get the start against Vegas. The goaltender has posted a 2.49 goals against average and .920 save percentage through 33 games. Swayman last played Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks in the 3-2 overtime loss and made 39 saves.
Here are the Bruins’ line rushes from Thursday’s practice:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk-Pavel Zacha-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Jakub Lauko-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei-Brandon Carlo
Parker Wotherspoon-Kevin Shattenkirk
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark
Five things to know about the Golden Knights:
- Vegas is coming off a 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday which marked its 300th franchise win. The Golden Knights have a 33-19-7 record, good for second place in the Pacific Division with 73 points.
- Jonathan Marchessault leads Vegas with 32 goals. The winger is skating on the first line with Brendan Brisson and William Karlsson. Marchessault – one of the original ‘misfits’ – has seven points in his last five games.
- Adin Hill is expected to get the start against Boston. The goaltender has a 2.66 GAA and .927 SV% through 24 games. Hill last played Tuesday against Toronto and made 30 saves.
- Jack Eichel is expected to be out. The forward suffered a lower-body injury Jan. 11 – against the Bruins in Vegas’ 2-1 overtime win – but practiced Thursday in a regular jersey. Eichel is third on the team in points with 44 (19 goals, 25 assists) through 42 games. Captain Mark Stone is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He was placed on injured reserve Feb. 22. Stone still leads Vegas in points with 53 (16 goals, 37 assists).
- Vegas’ power play percentage ranks 18th in the league at 19.5. Its 81.3 penalty kill percentage ranks 11th in the league.
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