BOSTON - The Bruins' homestand continues on Saturday with a matinee against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. Boston opened their seven-game stint on Causeway Street with an overtime loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, a setback that left coach Bruce Cassidy - and his players - wanting more out of the club.
"I think we all know that we need more from each other," Chris Wagner, who picked up an assist in Boston's loss to the Isles, said following Friday's practice at TD Garden. "I think it goes without saying. We don't like losing games to being with, you play to win the game…we know we need more."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of Saturday's 1 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:
On the Injury Front
Tuukka Rask made his return on Thursday night, but only played 20 minutes before exiting after the first period with an upper-body injury. The netminder did not skate on Friday and will not play this weekend, according to Cassidy. Jaroslav Halak will likely make the start on Saturday.
"Tuukka was in this morning. He'll be getting treatment," said Cassidy. "He will not play this weekend and then we'll go from there…don't believe there's anything major there but obviously something's going on where he had to leave the game again with a similar injury as the last time.
"Have to make sure we get it looked at and make the right call the next time…we assumed he was ready to play, that's why he was in. He said he was, medical staff, but obviously have to keep a closer eye on it it's something that's going to flare up."
Karson Kuhlman also missed practice on Friday to undergo an MRI after blocking a shot with his left hand on Thursday night. The winger has been ruled out for Saturday's matinee.
"Obviously blocked the shot - I think everyone saw that part of it - and couldn't hold his stick today," said Cassidy. "He's going to get looked at to make sure there's nothing. I think when you talk about those smaller bones you've gotta take a closer look.
"Depending on the MRI, if it's negative or no damage, then it becomes a matter of comfort with holding a stick. I'd only be speculating when that could be, but he'll be ruled out for [Saturday]."
Zach Senyshyn practiced in full on Friday and is expected to take Kuhlman's place as the third-line right wing alongside Charlie Coyle and Anders Bjork. Senyshyn has not played since suffering an upper-body injury in his season debut on March 11.
"Does feel like he's going to be able to play, so assuming there's no tenderness in the morning or something that would prevent him that crops up then he'll go in Kuhlman's spot," said Cassidy.
Jeremy Lauzon is "very, very close" to a return from the fractured hand he suffered during Boston's win over the Flyers at Lake Tahoe on Feb. 16. The blue liner skated with the group on Friday but remains day-to-day and will not suit up against the Sabres.
"He just needs reps, I guess, right now with his hand, make sure he handles pucks, comfortable with handling pucks," Cassidy explained. "Tough to get him in regular practices now because we just don't have that many. We had one today, obviously play tomorrow and Sunday… it's a little tougher for him to find what he needs right now with the frequency of our games and our schedule."
Boston's other injured blue liners, Brandon Carlo (upper body) and Kevan Miller (knee), skated before practice with winger Ondrej Kase (upper body) as they continue to progress toward a return to game action.
"No," Cassidy said when asked if Carlo's absence was the result of a setback. "We had eight defensemen and today was a day that Lauzy needed to get his reps in and [Jack] Achan is our seventh right now. We felt with nine that would be a lot, so Brandon got in [a practice on Wednesday]. He was on, feeling better, able to participate but we paired the group down."
Video: Cassidy talks to media on practice day at TD Garden
Opposing View
- The Sabres have lost 16 in a row (0-14-2) entering Saturday's matinee.
- Buffalo traded veteran forward Eric Staal to Montreal on Friday in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
- Interim head coach Don Granato and interim assistant Ryan Ellis cleared COVID-19 protocol on Friday and are expected behind the bench for Saturday's tilt. General manager Kevyn Adams served as head coach on Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Video: Coyle addresses questions from media on practice day
By the Numbers
- The Bruins host the Sabres on Saturday in the second of eight games between these teams this season and the first of four at TD Garden. Boston won the first meeting between the teams last Thursday in Buffalo, before the second half of the set was postponed as a result of the B's COVID pause.
- The Bruins and Sabres are meeting for the 298th time in their histories with the Bruins having a 143-113-29-12 record and 953-927 scoring edge in those games. Boston has won its last six games against the Sabres, with their last loss to Buffalo a 4-2 home setback on Dec. 16, 2018.
- The B's are 18-4-2 in their last 43 games overall in this all-time series.
Saturday's Projected Lineup
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Nick Ritchie - David Krejci - Craig Smith
Anders Bjork - Charlie Coyle - Zach Senyshyn
Trent Frederic - Greg McKegg - Chris Wagner
DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Jakub Zboril - Connor Clifton
Jarred Tinordi - Steven Kampfer
GOALIES
Jaroslav Halak
Daniel Vladar
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