Look for Tuukka Rask to be Boston's starter in net, likely to oppose Devils icon Marty Brodeur. Rask picked up the win Monday night vs. the Panthers, when the Bruins' overall play was unkempt, and workhorse Tim Thomas often looked awkward and out of position in Tuesday's loss in Tampa.
Update: Thomas was the first goalie to exit the morning practice, typically an indication that he will start.
Now in the thick of a grueling schedule, in which they play six games in nine days, the Bruins are in need of a solid effort here to get back on track. They are displaying classic signs of mid-season doldrums. With 39 games left to go before the playoffs, they could go .500 the rest of the way and finish with 93 points. The Rangers picked off the No. 8 playoff seed in the East last season with 93 points. The Canes, with 91 points, were DNQs.
Puck drop: 7:05 p.m. EST
Record: Bruins, 29-13-1; Devils, 26-17-2.
TV/radio info: NESN (Jack Edwards, Andy Brickley, Naoko Funayama), 98.5 The Sports Hub (Dave Goucher, Bob Beers)
Projected lineup: Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas
Healthy scratches: Zach Hamill, Jordan Caron, Steve Kampfer
