The Boston Bruins will try to extend their win streak to four Friday night when they visit Pittsburgh for a date with the Penguins.
Jaroslav Halak will get the start in between the pipes for the B’s at PPG Paints Arena after sitting the last two games. Halak’s last start in net was a successful one, as he earned his ninth win of the season with a 29-save performance against the high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs.
Noel Acciari will be back in Boston’s lineup after missing Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Coyotes. Acciari will center the fourth line, while Gemel Smith will be scratched for the first time since being acquired by the Bruins on Dec. 6.
Here are the projected lineups and defensive pairings for Friday’s Bruins-Penguins game:
BOSTON BRUINS (17-10-4)
Brad Marchand–David Krejci–David Pastrnak
Joakim Nordstrom–Colby Cave–David Backes
Ryan Donato–Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson–Danton Heinen
Sean Kuraly–Noel Acciari–Chris Wagner
Torey Krug–Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk–Charlie McAvoy
John Moore–Steven Kampfer
Jaroslav Halak
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (13-11-6)
Tanner Pearson–Sidney Crosby–Jake Guentzel
Zach Aston-Reese–Evgeni Malkin–Phil Kessel
Riley Sheahan–Derick Brassard–Bryan Rust
Derek Grant–Matt Cullen–Garrett Wilson
Brian Dumoulin–Kris Letang
Olli Maatta–Jamie Oleksiak
Marcus Pettersson–Jack Johnson
Casey DeSmith
