BOSTON — The Bruins will indeed take on the Canadiens Monday night at the Garden. Which Bruins specifically is still somewhat uncertain.
The Bruins are still awaiting word on a possible suspension to forward Milan Lucic, who had a phone hearing with NHL dean of discipline Brendan Shanahan on Monday morning for his hit from behind on Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo on Saturday.
Lucic was one of just nine players on the ice for an optional morning skate on Monday. Gregory Campbell also participated after returning to practice on Sunday, but his status for the game won't be determined until later on Monday. Campbell has missed three games since suffering a fractured foot blocking a shot against Columbus on Dec. 10.
"There's a lot of things we have to sort out and our lineup is probably one that is probably the most uncertain so far this year," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "We have a lot of different things you know with the Lucic situation — no answers on that yet. We have a couple players that are not questionable but we have to make a decision on, so yeah it's going to be a little hard for me to stand up here this morning and tell you this guy's in this guy's out."
Rich Peverley also skated on Monday morning after getting Sunday off and declared himself fine for the game.
"It was just maintenance," Peverley said. "I should be good to go."
Also skating Monday were forwards Chris Kelly, Shawn Thornton, Tyler Seguin and Zach Hamill, defenseman Johnny Boychuk and goalie Tuukka Rask. The presence of Rask could indicate that Tim Thomas will get the nod after posting his fourth shutout of the season Saturday in Philadelphia.
The Bruins recalled forward Jordan Caron and defenseman Steven Kampfer from Providence on Monday morning. They did not skate after playing for Providence on Sunday, but will be available for the game if the Bruins need bodies.
The Canadiens are dealing with some injury issues of their own. Forwards Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta remain out with lower-body injuries, while defenseman P.K. Subban missed the morning skate and is questionable for the game with an illness.
"We're evaluating him," Montreal coach Randy Cunneyworth said of Subban. "He's under the weather a little bit, so we'll let him get his rest and make a game-time decision."
The Canadiens will get forward Travis Moen back after he missed the last two games with a lower-body injury.
"He's 100 percent and ready to go," Cunneyworth said. "We're looking for a big game out of him."
Carey Price was the first goalie off the ice at Montreal's skate and is expected to get the start in goal.
Paul Devorski and Rob Martell will be the referees, with Pierre Champoux and Bryan Pancich working the lines.
Projected Bruins lines
Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille-Zach Hamill-Shawn Thornton
Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Goalies
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
Scratches: Gregory Campbell (foot), Steven Kampfer, Jordan Caron
Projected Canadiens lines
Forwards
Michael Cammalleri-Tomas Plekanec-Travis Moen
Max Pacioretty-David Desharnais-Erik Cole
Andrei Kostitsyn-Lars Eller-Louis LeBlanc
Mathieu Darche-Petteri Nokelainen-Michael Blunden
Defense
Josh Gorges-Raphael Diaz
Hal Gill-Chris Campoli
Tomas Kaberle-Alexei Emelin
Goalies
Carey Price
Peter Budaj
Scratches: P.K. Subban (sick), Scott Gomez (lower body), Brian Gionta (lower body), Yannick Weber
