Projected Bruins lines vs. Rangers: Ritchie slides up if Marchand is unavailable, Halak starts

UPDATE: The B's announced shortly before the game that Jake DeBrusk is out due to COVID-19 protocols.

Anders Bjork will play. Brad Marchand is also in.

The Boston Bruins face the New York Rangers this afternoon and lines could look a little different based on the availability of Brad Marchand for the game.

Marchand was absent from yesterday’s practice after Bruce Cassidy said he was “banged up” from Thursday’s win.

His status for today is questionable and likely a game-time decision. If he’s unavailable, it looks like Nick Ritchie will slide up in his spot, as reported by The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa.

Lines will continue to be adjusted, as Charlie Coyle appears to be a wing for David Krejci and Jack Studnicka would be back to center the third line.

With Zach Senyshyn sidelined from an upper-body injury, Chris Wagner will be back in the lineup.

Jaroslav Halak gets the start in net as Tuukka Rask is still out.

These are guesses, but:

Marchand - Patrice Bergeron- David Pastrnak

Anders Bjork? - David Krejci - Nick Ritchie

Jack Studnicka - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith

Trent Frederic - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner

Defensive pairings:

Matt Grzelcyk- Charlie McAvoy

Urho Vaakanainen- Connor Clifton

Jarred Tinordi- Jakub Zboril

Halak will start in net