From the Boston Globe (Fluto Shinzawa):
As expected, Manny Fernandez is not on the ice for the morning skate. Tuukka Rask will back up Tim Thomas tonight.
Here’s how the rest of the lineup might shape up. During initial line rushes this morning, Milan Lucic has been alternating shifts on the No. 1 line with Martin St. Pierre.
Chuck Kobasew – Marc Savard – Martin St. Pierre
Blake Wheeler – David Krejci – Michael Ryder
P.J. Axelsson – Stephane Yelle – Martins Karsums
Shawn Thornton – Petteri Nokelainen – Byron Bitz
Zdeno Chara – Aaron Ward
Matt Hunwick – Dennis Wideman
Mark Stuart – Shane Hnidy
Starter: Tim Thomas
Back-up: Tuukka Rask
Infirmary: Sturm (had knee surgery today), Bergeron (concussion), Lucic (upper body), Kessel (Mono), Ference (broken leg), Fernandez (minor ailment?)
Also from the Boston Globe (Three Bruins skating):
Good morning from TD Banknorth Garden, where the Bruins will face off against the Canadiens tonight at 7 p.m.
Currently on the ice prior to the morning skate are Patrice Bergeron, Milan Lucic, and Andrew Ference. They are skating under the watch of strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides, with physical therapist Scott Waugh taking an occasional peek from the bench.
Lucic is the closest of the three but is not expected to play tonight.
Habster:
The Canadiens lineup should be unchanged from the Washington game while Milan Lucic will be a game time decision for the Bruins.
Both teams have some serious talent out of the lineup due to injuries so it should be interesting to see who copes with it best:
Forwards:
Pacioretty – Plekanec – Kovalev
Kostitsyn – Lang – Kostitsyn
Latendresse – Lapierre – Kostopoulos
Begin – Chipchura – D’Agostini
Defense:
Komisarek – Markov
Gorges – Hamrlik
Brisebois – Bouillon
Starter: Halak
Backup: Denis
Infirmary:
Higgins (separated shoulder), Koivu (high ankle sprain), Price (high ankle sprain), Laraque (groin, back), Tanguay (separated shoulder), Dandenault (broken arm).
