Good morning from a snow-free Buffalo, where the Bruins try to follow up Sunday's impressive win in D.C. with a win here tonight against the slumping Sabres.
The Bruins (5-5-1) haven't been sharp of late, but they looked back on register with their 4-1 win over the Caps. Coach Claude Julien moved Chris Kelly up to the first line to pivot Milan Lucic and Rich Peverley. No. 1 centerman David Krejci shifted down to third-line duty with Quebec kids Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron.
Look for Tuukka Rask in net tonight, after Tim Thomas made back-to-back starts against the Penguins (L) and Caps (W). The Thin Finn is 0-2-1 in his last three starts and is without a victory since Jan. 16 (Florida).
Update: In rare day-of-game admission, Julien discloses that Rask will get the start.
The Sabres will have ex-defenseman James Patrick calling the shots behind their bench. Long-time coach Lindy Ruff cracked three ribs in Monday's practice in a freak on-ice collision with Jordan Leopold and needed to spend Tuesday resting at home.
Update: Ruff, according to Patrick, will watch the game from inside the arena or from the club's offices here inside First Niagara Center.
With a win here, the Bruins can move within one point of the Rangers for the lead in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres will enter the night with only one point separating themselves and the cellar-dwelling Canes.
Puck drop: 7:35 p.m. EST
Record: Bruins, 33-16-2; Sabres, 22-24-6.
TV/radio info: NBC cable (formerly Versus), 98.5 The Sports Hub (Dave Goucher, Bob Beers)
Projected lineup:Milan Lucic-Chris Kelly-Rich Peverley
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-David Krejcik-Jordan Caron
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas
Healthy scratches: Steve Kampfer
Injured: Nathan Horton (concussion).
