The Bruins are in Ottawa for the back end of a set of back-to-back games, looking to extend their win streak to three after shutting out the Kings 3-0 in Boston on Tuesday.
They will be shorthanded again though. Gregory Campbell did not make the trip and will miss his second game after suffering a fracture in his foot from a shot in Saturday's game in Columbus.
Zdeno Chara did accompany the team to Ottawa and skated Wednesday morning for the first time since suffering a left leg injury against the Blue Jackets. Chara is officially a game-time decision but is not expected to play against the Senators.
Jordan Caron, a healthy scratch Tuesday with Daniel Paille returning from a mild concussion, was the only other Bruin to skate on Wednesday as the rest of the team got the morning off after playing and traveling Tuesday night. That would indicate that Caron will remain out, with Zach Hamill staying in Campbell's spot centering the fourth line. Hamill had a strong game on Tuesday, setting up the Bruins' first goal.
Tim Thomas is expected to get the start in goal. Claude Julien announced that was his intention prior to Tuesday's game, but declined to answer when asked if Tuukka Rask's 41-save shutout against Los Angeles had changed his thinking at all. Thomas has historically dominated the Senators with a 20-8-2 record, 1.95 GAA, .936 save percentage and six shutouts against Ottawa.
The Senators also played on Tuesday, beating Buffalo 3-2 in overtime. The win came at a price though, with Milan Michalek, who leads the NHL with 19 goals, suffering a concussion in a collision with teammate Erik Karlsson.
Marlborough, Mass., native Bobby Butler will return to the lineup with Michalek sidelined, with captain Daniel Alfredsson moving up to Michalek's spot on the top line alongside Jason Spezza and Colin Greening.
Ottawa is also without defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Filip Kuba, who are both sidelined with upper-body injuries.
Craig Anderson, who was briefly a Bruin in 2006 when he dressed for five games as a backup but did not see any game action, will get the start in goal for Ottawa.
Marc Joanette and Tom Kowal will be the referees, with Steve Barton and Lonnie Cameron 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
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Steve Kampfer-Johnny Boychuk
Goalies
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
Scratches: Zdeno Chara (lower body), Gregory Campbell (foot), Jordan Caron
Projected Senators lines
Forwards
Colin Greening-Jason Spezza-Daniel Alfredsson
Nick Foligno-Peter Regin-Bobby Butler
Erik Condra-Zack Smith-Chris Neil
Kaspars Daugavins-Zenon Konopka-Jesse Winchester
Defense
Chris Phillips-Brian Lee
Jared Cowen-Erik Karlsson
David Rundblad-Matt Carkner
Goalies
Craig Anderson
Alex Auld
Scratches: Milan Michalek (concussion), Sergei Gonchar (upper body), Filip Kuba (upper body)
