Bruins-Stars Projected Lines, Pairings: Defenseman Makes Debut For Boston

The Boston Bruins continue their short two-game road trip against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Thursday night.

Boston will take the ice after a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday while Dallas earned a dominant 7-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.

The Black and Gold will be without defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who suffered a significant lower-body injury in St. Louis and is expected to be out multiple weeks. Defenseman Jordan Oesterle was recalled following Lindholm’s injury and will be inserted on Boston’s third defensive pairing alongside Parker Wotherspoon.

The 32-year-old appeared in nine games with the Providence Bruins this season and recorded eight points (three goals, five assists). The 11-year veteran has appeared in 371 career games.

Jeremy Swayman will start between the pipes after he turned away 20 of the 22 shots he faced against the Blues.

Puck drop from Dallas is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and you can watch it on NESN following an hour of pregame coverage.

Here are projected lines and pairings for both teams:

BRUINS (8-7-2)
Morgan Geekie — Pavel Zacha — David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand — Elias Lindholm — Justin Brazeau
Trent Frederic — Charlie Coyle — Tyler Johnson
John Beecher — Mark Kastelic — Cole Koepke

Nikita Zadorov — Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei — Brandon Carlo
Jordan Oesterle — Parker Wotherspoon

Jeremy Swayman

STARS (9-5-0)
Jason Robertson — Roope Hintz — Evgenii Dadonov
Mason Marchment — Matt Duchene — Tyler Seguin
Jamie Benn — Wyatt Johnston — Logan Stankoven
Oskar Back — Sam Steel — Colin Blackwell

Miro Heiskanen — Esa Lindell
Thomas Harley — Ilya Lyubushkin
Brendan Smith — Nils Lundkvist

Jake Oettinger