They’ll have to get through a Capitals team with star Alex Ovechkin back in the lineup to do that. Ovechkin returned Saturday but did not factor in any of Washington’s goals in a 3-0 win at Montreal.
Ovechkin had sat out the previous three games after being suspended for a hit to the head. The first game of that ban was against the Bruins, but Washington still managed to post a 5-3 win in the first meeting between the Bruins and Capitals on Jan. 24.
The Bruins called up Jordan Caron prior to Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh but did not dress the youngster. He will take warm-ups on Sunday and could return to the lineup, likely in Zach Hamill‘s spot, but that decision won’t be made until after the pre-game warm-up. There were also several players banged up in Saturday’s loss, but everyone was expected to be available to play on Sunday.
Coach Claude Julien told reporters Sunday morning that Nathan Horton, who will miss his fifth game with a concussion, continues to improve and will skate for the first time since the injury back in Boston on Sunday.
With Tim Thomas playing on Saturday, Tuukka Rask is expected to in goal for the Bruins.
Kyle Rehman and Steve Kozari will be the referees, with Michel Cormier and Lonnie Cameron working the lines.
Projected Bruins lines
Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Rich Peverley
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Zach Hamill
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Goalies
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas
Scratches: Nathan Horton (concussion), Steven Kampfer, Jordan Caron
Projected Capitals lines
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin-Marcus Johansson-Alexander Semin
Matt Hendricks-Brooks Laich-Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera- Mathieu Perrault-Mike Knuble
Joel Ward-Jeff Halpern-Keith Aucoin
Defense
Karl Alzner-John Carlson
Dennis Wideman-Jeff Schultz
Roman Hamrlik-Dmitry Orlov
Goalies
Tomas Vokoun
Michal Neuvirth
Scratches: Nicklas Backstrom (concussion), Mike Green (abdominal surgery), John Erkskine, Jay Beagle
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