Bruins and Canadiens line combos, Lucic still doubtful for game

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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).