The Boston Bruins begin a four-game road trip Monday night against one of the best teams in the NHL.
Boston is in Anaheim to take on the Ducks, who despite having several players who are battling injuries and illnesses, find themselves tied for the second-best record in the league with 33 points. These teams split the season series 1-1 in 2013-14 with each club winning on home ice.
The B’s recalled center/winger Craig Cunningham and defenseman Zach Trotman for this road trip, but it’s not certain if they will play Monday night.
Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tuukka Rask was the first goalie off the ice at Boston’s morning skate Monday, per The Boston Globe. That usually indicates he will start. Rask is likely to oppose Ducks starter Frederik Andersen, who’s excelled this season with a 10-4-4 record and a .915 save percentage.
Anaheim will be without veteran defensemen Francois Beauchemin (broken finger) and Clayton Stoner (mumps), which has placed young blueliners such as Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen and former Northeastern star Josh Manson in more important roles.
After playing apart briefly over the weekend, superstar forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were reunited on the Ducks’ top line and will present a difficult challenge for Bruins defensemen.
Here are the projected lineups for Bruins-Ducks:
BOSTON BRUINS (14-9-1, fourth in Atlantic)
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Milan Lucic-Carl Soderberg-Loui Eriksson
Reilly Smith-Chris Kelly-Matt Fraser/Seth Griffith
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Simon Gagne/Craig Cunningham
Dennis Seidenberg-Torey Krug
Joe Morrow-Dougie Hamilton
Matt Bartkowski-Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
ANAHEIM DUCKS (14-6-5, second in Pacific)
Matt Beleskey-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry
Rene Bourque-Ryan Kesler-Kyle Palmieri
Andrew Cogliano-Devante Smith-Pelly-Jakob Silfverberg
Pat Maroon-Nate Thompson-Tim Jackman
Cam Fowler-Josh Manson
Hampus Lindholm-Mat Clark
Eric Brewer-Sami Vatanen
Frederik Andersen
Thumbnail photo via Chris Carlson/Associated Press
