Bruins vs Panthers: Battle of the Injured

Just the Facts:

Game Time: 7:00 PM, TD Garden.

TV Broadcast: NESN, FSFL

Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SB Nation Site: Litter Box Cats

Season Record: Bruins: 7-6-0, 4th in Atlantic Division | Panthers: 4-2-3, 7th in Atlantic Division

Panthers Lines:

Tomas Fleischmann - Jussi Jokinen -Brad Boyes

Scottie Upshall - Nick Bjugstad - Jimmy Hayes

Tomas Kopecky - Derek MacKenzie - Shawn Thornton

Colby Robak - Vincent Trocheck - Rocco Grimaldi

Defensive Pairings:

Brian Campbell - Aaron Ekblad

Willie Mitchell - Dmitry Kulikov

Dylan Olsen - Erik Gudbranson

IR: Brandon Pirri, Dave Bolland, Aleksander Barkov, Sean Bergenheim, Jonathan Huberdeau

Bruins Lines:

Milan Lucic - Chris Kelly - Seth Griffith

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Reilly Smith

Matt Fraser - Carl Soderberg - Loui Eriksson

Daniel Paille - Gregory Campbell - Simon Gagne

Defensive Pairings:

Dennis Seidenberg -Dougie Hamilton

Joe Morrow - Adam McQuaid

David Warsofsky - Zach Trotman

IR: Kevan Miller, Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, David Krejci

Game Notes:

• The silver linings of a robust IR list have prevailed. I'm all about that Fraz, bout that Fraz, no treble. David Krejci is day-to-day with the same hip injury from earlier this season. Besides, look at the big picture. The Bruins are in the midst of a 6 game stretch against (at best) historically mediocre teams. It's early in November. If key players must suffer injuries, this isn't the worst time. On Saturday, veterans looked like veterans and rookie defensemen proved they can handle pressure.
• Florida has only scored 14 non-shootout goals this season, the fewest in the league. Apparently Shawn Thornton is looking for a 15th. Thornton has only fought once this season. Maybe he's a changed man, maybe he's responding to a stricter league policy, or maybe he'll drop the gloves tonight.
• Despite a struggling offense, the Panthers have showcased impressive defense. In his past two games, goaltender Roberto Luongo has stopped 66 of 68 shots. "The puck is hitting me," said Luongo, rivaling Brad Marchand for most riveting speakers of the NHL. Still, as long as the Bruins avoid playing down to the Panthers tonight (still shuddering about overtime against the Sabres), there's no reason for concern.

NEVER FORGET:

Last Game in Fancy Stats: