The Boston Bruins’ lineup will remain the same as it was Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, with Jeremy Swayman in net.
The Boston Bruins will host the New York Rangers at TD Garden Thursday for a 7 p.m. puck drop. The Original Six matchup marks the third and final time the teams will meet this regular season.
The B’s dropped the two previous games against the Rangers, falling 2-1 in overtime on Dec.16 on home ice, and 7-4 on Nov. 25 at Madison Square Garden.
Now atop the NHL standings with 97 points, the Bruins have the opportunity to see how they size up against a New York squad that leads the Metropolitan Division with 94 points.
“You want to be challenged by the teams who are going to be involved in the playoffs,” Brandon Carlo said Thursday. “It’s nice to still play meaningful hockey at this point of the year. We don’t want to take any steps back or take games lightly.”
The Bruins are on a three-game win streak, most recently beating the Ottawa Senators 6-2 Tuesday at TD Garden. David Pastrnak recorded his 17th-career hat trick and Justin Brazeau potted two goals in the victory.
“I think every game you kind of play, you get more comfortable around the rink and at practice and stuff like that,” Brazeau said Thursday.
Boston coach Jim Montgomery said the lineup will remain the same as Tuesday, meaning Mason Lohrei, Parker Wotherspoon and James van Riemsdyk will all sit out.
Former Ranger Kevin Shattenkirk and trade-deadline pickup Andrew Peeke will skate together on the third pair as Montgomery solidifies a rotation between his eight defenseman. Van Riemsdyk is still working back from last week’s illness, Montgomery said.
“He’s just nursing some things. To be honest, the way he felt for his 1000th game – probably didn’t do him any service playing that night,” Montgomery said of van Riemsdyk, who played Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jeremy Swayman will get the start against the Rangers. The goaltender has a 2.56 goals against average and .917 save percentage through 38 games. Swayman last played Saturday and made 29 saves in the 6-5 win over the Flyers.
“I’m excited about this game. Rangers are one of the elite teams in the league,” Montgomery said. “Tonight is an opportunity to see where we match up against them.”
Here’s the Boston Bruins’ projected lineup:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Jakub Lauko-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Johnny Beecher-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Kevin Shattenkirk-Andrew Peeke
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark
Dec 16, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) and New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) battle for the puck during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsFive things to know about the Rangers
- New York is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in which it dropped to a 45-20-4 record, good for third place in the NHL.
- Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in points with 94 (38 goals, 56 assists) through 69 games. The winger has seven points in the last five games – including a five-point performance (2g, 3a) Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Panarin is on the second line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere.
- Defenseman Ryan Lindgren is out week to week with a lower-body injury he suffered Sunday against the New York Islanders. Lindgren – who was selected in the second round of the 2019 Draft by the Bruins – usually skates with Adam Fox, but K’Andre Miller is filling the spot now.
- Jonathan Quick will get the start against Boston. The goaltender as a 2.46 GAA and .916 SV%. Quick played for UMass Amherst from 2005-2007 – his alma mater will be playing at TD Garden Friday in the Hockey East Semifinals against Boston College.
- Rookie Matt Rempe is expected to return to the lineup following a four-game suspension for elbowing New Jersey Devil Jonas Siegenthaler. The 6-foot-7 fourth-line forward has played just 10 NHL games, but made quite a lot of noise with his fighting.