Defenseman Brandon Carlo and forward Matt Poitras may be options to return to the Boston Bruins lineup Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Boston Bruins return to game action Thursday night at TD Garden for a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Bruins and Avalanche last met Jan. 8 at Ball Arena where Boston fell 4-3 in a shootout and Brad Marchand had a two-goal game.
“They play a very fast game and their transition game is great, so we have to make sure we take care of pucks,” Kevin Shattenkirk said Thursday of facing Colorado.
“Their first line is obviously a driving force for them, so there’s going to be a lot of guys that have to share that responsibility with shutting them down.”
After playing short-handed for the past week, the B’s may have some key players back in the lineup against Colorado. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said both defenseman Brandon Carlo and forward Matt Poitras could be options if “all goes well” after morning skate.
Trent Frederic left Wednesday’s practice early as a precaution and, per Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald, the forward said he was good to go for Thursday’s game. Frederic was wearing a wrap around his right leg following Thursday’s morning skate.
Jan 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) scores the game winning shootout goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsWhile Jeremy Swayman will start in net for the fourth consecutive game, Linus Ullmark reenters the goaltender depth chart as the backup after missing the last three matchups due to injury.
Defenseman Derek Forbort – who practiced in a regular jersey Wednesday – remains unavailable as he continues to work back from a lower-body injury.
Despite the recent holes in the Bruins’ lineup, the team has won its last two games and collected five out of eight points on its four-game road trip. The B’s are coming off a 3-0 win Monday over the New Jersey Devils where they displayed one of their most complete performances of the season.
“I think it’s a testament obviously to the depth we have in the organization. And then to the guys getting called up, having the confidence to jump right in and seamlessly fit within the team,” Shattenkirk said.
“Part of it, too, is playing our game. We’ve been building a pretty solid team game here over the last few weeks.”
Jan 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) battle for position in front of the net as defenseman Cale Makar (8) controls the puck against left wing Danton Heinen (43) as defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (29) defends in the third period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsFive things to know about the Avalanche:
- Colorado is coming off a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night. The Avalanche have won four of its last five games, earning a 29-13-3 record which is best for second place in the Central Division with 61 points.
- Forward Mikko Rantanen scored twice in Tuesday’s win. Rantanen is second on the Avalanche in points with 58 (24 goals, 34 assists), and is skating on the first line with Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon.
- Forward Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado with 72 points (23 goals, 39 assists) – which also ties Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov for most points in the NHL. MacKinnon has 16 points in his last 10 games.
- Alexandar Georgiev has been the Avlanche’s go-to starter in net this season. The goaltender has posted a 2.92 GAA and .897 SV% through 37 games. Georgiev last played Monday against the Montreal Canadiens and made 34 saves.
- Defenseman Cale Makar is third on the team in points with 52 (10 goals, 42 assists). The 25-year-old is skating on the first pair with Devon Toews and has logged four points in his last two games.