BOSTON — Expect to see yet another line tweak Thursday as the Bruins host the Minnesota Wild at TD Garden.
Based on the reported combinations at Wednesday’s practice, the Matt Beleskey-Patrice Bergeron-Brett Connolly first line that was torched in Boston’s loss to the San Jose Sharks has been scrapped. Both Beleskey and Connolly were dropped to the third line and replaced by Brad Marchand and Jimmy Hayes, respectively.
Marchand is a longtime linemate of Bergeron’s, but Hayes is a new addition to the top unit. The Boston native has spent the bulk of his first season with the Bruins on the Ryan Spooner-centered third line.
“I mean, (Marchand and Bergeron) are both established players that are very effective in this league,” Hayes said Thursday morning. “They create a lot of chances, and they play well with one another. I’ve just got to be a big guy on the line and give them some more space, be around the net and try to capitalize on some opportunities.”
Thursday’s lineup also features a defensive tweak, as Colin Miller returns after a two-game absence to replace the injured Kevan Miller (upper body injury). The Bruins announced Thursday that Kevan Miller would miss at least the next four games.
Jonas Gustavsson is expected to start in net for the Bruins. The veteran backup took his first loss of the season in his most recent start, allowing three goals in a Nov. 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Here are the projected lines and pairings for both teams:
BOSTON BRUINS (8-8-1)
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — Jimmy Hayes
Frank Vatrano — David Krejci — Loui Eriksson
Matt Beleskey — Ryan Spooner — Brett Connolly
Zac Rinaldo — Joonas Kemppainen — Tyler Randell
Zdeno Chara — Zach Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg — Colin Miller
Torey Krug — Adam McQuaid
Jonas Gustavsson
MINNESOTA WILD (10-4-3)
Jason Zucker — Mikko Koivu — Nino Niederreiter
Thomas Vanek — Mikael Granlund — Jason Pominville
Ryan Carter — Charlie Coyle — Jordan Schroeder
Chris Porter — Erik Haula — Brett Bulmer
Ryan Suter — Jared Spurgeon
Jonas Brodin — Matt Dumba
Nate Prosser — Christian Folin
Devan Dubnyk
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
