For the first time in ten days, Boston's lineup won't make fans squirm, as both Rich Peverley and Brad Marchand are set to return to the lineup after missing two and five games, respectively. But the bigger story today may be who's between the pipes.
Tim Thomas allowed four goals to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, and putting Thomas in net tonight pretty much violates Boston's recent string of "I got next" goaltender selection. But that's not really an issue. What is an issue is that, with the Bruins heading home to face the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers on Saturday, Tuukka Rask suddenly looks like the go-to goalie.
Rask, of course, has looked every bit the man for quite some time now, but whether or not his getting the start against New York makes him the new number one remains to be seen - it may just be Julien playing his cards right, because Thomas has historically been great against Philadelphia, whom the Bruins will face on Sunday afternoon.
At any rate, tonight's tilt with the Devils should give the Bruins a chance to get their old chemistry back heading into those two pivotal matchups over the weekend, where they'll need it badly. The Devils have been playing well, but are yet to earn points against Boston in two games this season, a 4-3 loss in Boston in November and a 6-1 loss at the Prudential Center earlier this month.
The lineup should be back to normal tonight:
Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Tyler Seguin
Rich Peverley - Chris Kelly - Benoit Pouliot
Shawn Thornton - Gregory Campbell - Daniel Paille
Zdeno Chara - Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg - Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference - Adam McQuaid
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask