Derek Forbort and Hampus Lindholm both remain out of the lineup as they work their way back from injury.
The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs will meet for the second time in four days Thursday at TD Garden for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. The matchup marks the last time the Atlantic Division rivals will face off against each other in the regular season.
“It’s a game we get up for. They’re a very gifted and talented team. Probably our biggest rivalry in the last decade,” Brad Marchand said Thursday. “We feel that every time we go in that building, every time they come here – it’s an exciting game, one we look forward to.”
The Bruins topped the Maple Leafs 4-1 Monday at Scotiabank Arena in one of their most complete performances of the second half. Boston coach Jim Montgomery would like to see his team replicate a similar effort.
“Right from the start, I’d like to see us be as committed as we were to being on the right side of the puck and trying to hold onto pucks in the offensive zone,” Montgomery said Thursday.
The B’s are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday at TD Garden in which they held a 1-0 lead until 18:40 of the third period. Pavel Zacha was the lone goal-scorer for the Bruins, logging his third goal in two games after potting two against Toronto on Monday.
Mar 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) reacts after a goal by forward Jake DeBrusk (74) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports“I’m just trying to simplify my game a little bit, shoot a little bit more pucks,” Zacha said Thursday. “We know that we’re not that far from playoffs. We have to start really focusing on every game and how to get better.”
Hampus Lindholm participated in the Bruins’ Thursday morning skate in a regular jersey. The defenseman is working his way back from a lower-body injury he suffered Feb. 19 against the Dallas Stars. Montgomery said Lindholm still isn’t an option, but is “getting closer every day.”
Derek Forbort was absent from Thursday’s morning skate. Montgomery said the defenseman is day to day with “minor aches and pains.” The third pair remained the same with Parker Wotherspoon filling in on the left side, and Kevin Shattenkirk on the right.
Jeremy Swaymn is expected to get the start against Toronto. The goaltender has a 2.49 goals against average and .921 save percentage through 25 games. Swayman last played Monday against the Maple Leafs and made 33 saves in the victory.
Here’s the Bruins’ projected lineup based on Thursday’s practice:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk-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
Mar 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi (59) and forward John Tavares (91) watch a rebound go wide of the net during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY SportsFive things to know about Toronto:
- The Maple Leafs are coming off a 2-1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in which Auston Matthews scored the game-winner. Toronto improved to a 36-18-9 record, good for second place in the Atlantic Division with 80 points – seven back of Boston who is in second place.
- Matthews leads Toronto in goals with 54, including a team-best 15 on the power play. The center has three points in his last five games while skating on the first line with Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner.
- The Maple Leafs have the second-best power play percentage in the league at 27.6. Their penalty kill percentage, however, ranks 21st in the league at 78.0.
- William Nylander leads Toronto in points with 84 (24 goals, 50 assists). The forward has six points in the last five games, including three goals, and is on the second line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi.
- Toronto announced Thursday it acquired defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Washington Capitals. The Maple Leafs gave up a third-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft and fifth-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft in the deal. It’s unclear if Edmundson will suit up against Boston.