PHILADELPHIA — The Bruins held an optional skate Friday morning at the Wachovia Center in advance of Game 4, and there was a puzzle to figure out with the forwards, with David Krejci out of the lineup. Trent Whitfield and Brad Marchand are the prime candidates to fill the roster spot, but Julien said that Whitfield is "probably in" for Game 4. Whitfield does have 14 games of postseason experience, all with the Capitals from 1999-2003.
As far as who takes Krejci’s spot between
Miroslav Satan and Milan Lucic, Marc Savard was skating between the wingers
and is expected to be there for Game 4.
The defense is due for a change as well, with defenseman Mark Stuart on the ice for the B's on Friday morning. Stuart, out since April 1 with cellulitis, has been medically cleared to play, but Claude Julien would not commit to his status, officially deeming Stuart a game-time decision. Stuart skated alongside Andrew Ference, and with Adam McQuaid out, Stuart could slide in to the rookie's spot.
Shawn Thornton was not on the ice with his teammates, but after the skate, Julien erased any injury or healthy scratch questions concerning the gritty winger, who sat out for Game 1 to make room for Savard’s return to the lineup.
"He just exercised his option this morning," Julien said of Thornton. "We’ll leave it at that. But there shouldn’t be any questions on whether he’ll be in [Friday night]. He’s fine."
Here's the expected lineup, provided Stuart and Whitfield play:
Forwards
Daniel Paille–Patrice Bergeron–Mark Recchi
Milan Lucic–Marc Savard–Miroslav Satan
Blake Wheeler–Vladimir Sobotka–Michael Ryder
Steve Begin–Trent Whitfield*–Shawn Thornton
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Johnny Boychuk
Matt Hunwick–Dennis Wideman
Andrew Ference–Mark Stuart*
Goaltenders
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas
