Will similar combinations yield consistent results for the Boston Bruins against the New York Rangers?
The lines and pairings Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is expected to deploy Saturday afternoon in the matchup against the Rangers will look largely similar to those that helped Boston shut out New York 4-0 on Thursday night.
The top-six Bruins forwards remain entrenched on the two lines.
Charlie Coyle likely will miss a second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury, meaning Jake DeBrusk will continue as the third-line right winger, with Nick Ritchie on the left and Sean Kuraly centering them.
Trent Frederic will play left wing on the fourth line, opposite Karson Kuhlman, and Curtis Lazar will remain at center.
Boston’s defensive pairings will be a little different from Thursday’s, as Matt Grzelcyk moves up to the first from the second to partner Charlie McAvoy, and Mike Reilly goes from the third to second as Brandon Carlo’s blueline mate. Jeremy Lauzon drops to the third pairing, where he’ll play alongside Kevan Miller.
Tuukka Rask will be in net for the Bruins. He’ll be opposed by Keith Kinkaid.
NESN will air Bruins-Rangers, with pregame coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET and puck drop scheduled for 3 p.m. Here’s how you can watch full coverage of the game on NESN.
Here are the projected lineups for Saturday’s Bruins-Rangers game game:
BOSTON BRUINS (32-14-7)
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall — David Krejci — Craig Smith
Nick Ritchie — Sean Kuraly — Jake DeBrusk
Trent Frederic — Curtis Lazar — Karson Kuhlman
Matt Grzelcyk–Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly–Brandon Carlo
Jeremy Lauzon–Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
NEW YORK RANGERS (26-23-6)
Alexis Lafreniere — Mika Zibanejad — Pavel Buchnevich
Vitali Kravtsov — Ryan Strome — Colin Blackwell
Morgan Barron — Filip Chytil — Justin Richards
Tim Gettinger — Kevin Rooney — Phillipe Di Giuseppe
K’Andre Miller–Adam Fox
Libo Hajek–Zac Jones
Tarmo Reunanen–Anthony Bitetto
Keith Kinkaid
