After taking four of a possible six points on their Western Conference road trip, the Boston Bruins return home Monday to take on the Nashville Predators at TD Garden.
The Bruins could be without Adam McQuaid for the contest after the defenseman suffered a wrist injury during Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. McQuaid reportedly skated with the team Monday morning, but Bruins coach Claude Julien did not confirm whether the defenseman would be healthy enough to suit up against the Predators.
“There’s just decisions that have to be made,” Julien told reporters, via BostonBruins.com. “There’s some guys that are banged up and, you know, that can or can’t play, so those are the decisions that I have to make.”
Both teams are expected to start their respective backup goaltenders, with Jonas Gustavsson going for Boston and UMass Lowell product Carter Hutton getting the nod for Nashville.
Bruins winger Jimmy Hayes likely will be a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game, based on the reported line rushes at morning skate.
Here are Monday’s projected lines and pairings, as reported by the teams:
BOSTON BRUINS (14-8-3)
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — Brett Connolly
Matt Beleskey — David Krejci — Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano — Joonas Kemppainen — Ryan Spooner
Zac Rinaldo — Landon Ferraro — Tyler Randell
Zdeno Chara — Zach Trotman
Joe Morrow — Kevan Miller
Torey Krug — Adam McQuaid
Jonas Gustavsson
NASHVILLE PREDATORS (13-8-5)
Filip Forsberg — Calle Jarnkrok — James Neal
Colin Wilson — Mike Ribeiro — Viktor Arvidsson
Cody Hodgson — Colton Sissons — Craig Smith
Eric Nystrom — Paul Gaustad — Austin Watson
Roman Josi — Shea Weber
Barret Jackman — Seth Jones
Mattias Ekholm — Ryan Ellis
Carter Hutton
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
