After back-to-back losses in Winnipeg and Minnesota, things won't get any easier for the Bruins when they continue their season-high six-game road trip with a stop in St. Louis to take on the Blues, who haven't suffered a regulation loss on home ice since Dec. 3.
There will be some lineup changes for the Bruins as they try to get their offense on track against the team with the league's top goals-against average (1.88). Normally a center, David Krejci will open the game on the right wing, where he finished Sunday's loss to the Wild and practiced on Tuesday with Milan Lucic and Chris Kelly. Krejci has just one point in his last nine games and two points in 11 games since Nathan Horton was sidelined with a concussion.
The Bruins could also be without Shawn Thornton, who is "under the weather," according to coach Claude Julien. Thornton missed the morning skate and will be a game-time decision. If Thornton can't go, both Josh Hennessy and Carter Camper will play. If Thornton is able to play, Camper could get a chance to make his NHL debut after being called up on Monday with Hennessy the odd man out up front.
The Blues lost forward Jamie Langenbrunner to a broken foot in their 3-1 loss in Chicago on Sunday. Former Bruin Vladimir Sobotka moves up to the top line with David Backes and T.J. Oshie.
In goal, it's expected to be a matchup between the guy who set an NHL record in save percentage last season (Tim Thomas at .938) and the guy on pace to better that mark this season (Brian Elliott at .940).
Wes McCauley and Ian Walsh will be the referees, with David Brisebois and Mike Cvik working the lines.
Projected Bruins lines
Forwards
Milan Lucic-Chris Kelly-David Krejci
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Jordan Caron-Carter Camper-Benoit Pouliot
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Goalies
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
Scratches: Nathan Horton (concussion), Rich Peverley (knee), Andrew Bodnarchuk, Josh Hennessy
Projected Blues lines
Forwards
Vladimir Sobotka-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald-Patrik Berglund-David Perron
Chris Porter-Jason Arnott-Chris Stewart
B.J. Crombeen-Scott Nichol-Ryan Reaves
Defense
Kris Russell-Roman Polak
Carlo Colaiacovo-Akex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman-Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalies
Brian Elliott
Jaroslav Halak
Scratches: Jamie Langenbrunner (foot), Kent Huskins, T.J. Hensick
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