BOSTON — The Boston Bruins have one more game at TD Garden before leaving for a five-game road trip that begins Friday against the Vancouver Canucks.
Boston’s next challenge is against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. Stars No. 1 center and former Bruin Tyler Seguin, who’s tied for the NHL lead in scoring with 59 points, is a game-time decision because he’s battling the flu. He missed Dallas’ morning skate Tuesday.
Stars head coach Lindy Ruff said he could put Jamie Benn or Shawn Horcoff in the first-line center spot if Seguin doesn’t play, but he noted that Benn in the middle “would be the better option.” Benn was Dallas’ No. 1 center before the team acquired Seguin in July of 2013.
Rookie winger David Pastrnak remained on the Bruins’ top line alongside David Krejci and Milan Lucic during Tuesday’s morning skate. Reilly Smith, who’s been moved up and down the lineup during his recent slump, was back on Patrice Bergeron’s line.
Boston’s defense pairings remained the same.
Niklas Svedberg will start in net for Boston. He hasn’t played since a shutout win over the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 8. Kari Lehtonen is expected to start for Dallas.
Here are the projected lineups for both teams:
BOSTON BRUINS (28-18-7, fourth in Atlantic Division)
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Reilly Smith
Chris Kelly-Carl Soderberg-Loui Eriksson
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Craig Cunningham
Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton
Dennis Seidenberg-Adam McQuaid
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller
Niklas Svedberg
DALLAS STARS (24-21-8, sixth in Central Division)
Jamie Benn-Shawn Horcoff (or Tyler Seguin)-Brett Ritchie
Erik Cole-Jason Spezza-Ales Hemsky
Antoine Roussel-Cody Eakin-Ryan Garbutt
Colton Sceviour-Vernon Fiddler-Patrick Eaves
Alex Goligoski-John Klingberg
Jyrki Jokipakka-Trevor Daley
Jordie Benn-Jason Demers
Kari Lehtonen
Thumbnail photo via Chris LaFrance/USA TODAY Sports Images
