Bruins hoping to tame Panthers

The Bruins will look to right the ship tonight when they take the ice at the Garden against the resurgent Florida Panthers. The B's are back on home ice for the first time in two weeks. The Bruins went 1-3-1 on the disappointing road trip that included a 2-0 loss to the Panthers on Saturday night. The Panthers, who have been off since Saturday night will look for back-to-back victories against the Bruins.

Just who are these Panthers you speak of?
Florida Panthers 30-21-8; 68 pts (2nd in Southeast, 7th in East)

Leading Scorers

Goaltending

Guys That Like to Drop the Gloves
Nick Boynton: 5 Fighting Majors
Gregory Campbell: 5 Fighting Majors
Anthony Stewart: 5 Fighting Majors

'08-'09 Season Series
11/21 vs. FLA 4-2 W
12/6 @ FLA 4-0 W
2/21 @ FLA 0-2 L

Injury Report

Boston
LW Marco Sturm: IR (Knee)
RW Michael Ryder: Probable (Face)
F Petteri Nokelainen: Out (Eye)

Florida
D Bryan Allen: IR (Knee)
C Rostislav Olesz: Out (Sports Hernia)
G Tomas Vokoun: Game-time decision (Flu)

Notes:

- Michael Ryder is expected to return tonight after missing 7 games with facial fractures. If he plays tonight, he will wear a full cage.

- Tim Thomas will get the start in goal tonight for the B's. Florida netminder Tomas Vokoun missed practice yesterday with flu-like symptoms. I would look for Craig Anderson to get the start tonight between the pipes for the Panthers.

- Lines for the morning skate:

Lucic-Savard-Kessel
Wheeler-Krejci-Ryder
Axelsson-Bergeron-Kobasew
Thornton-Yelle-Bitz

"From Chiarelli's viewpoint, the scuffling Bruins have failed in three area: driving hard to the net, claiming ownership of the danger zones, and finishing their checks."

- Fluto Shinzawa in this morning's Boston Globe

Today's Obligatory Embarrassing Lame Mascot Promo YouTube Fan Video: