Marco Sturm Details Bruins’ Lineup Changes Against Canucks

The Boston Bruins will be making some lineup changes on Saturday.

Boston is set to host the Vancouver Canucks at 7 p.m. ET, and Alex Steeves will be a scratch, while ​Jeffrey Viel will return to the lineup. Following morning skate on Saturday, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm explained the decision to change the forward lines, which included Marat Khusnutdinov being on the top line.

“Obviously, Steeves is out of the lineup, so we had to make a little bit of an adjustment,” Sturm said on Saturday.

“We just went back with Kuzy on the first line just to give them a little bit more jump. Make those other lines more even.”

Viel will also draw back in the lineup. It’s his first game since Nov. 29, and Sturm knows it’s been a difficult stretch for him not being in the lineup.

“I know it’s a hard job, it’s not easy,” Sturm added. “One of the reasons why he’s still around is because of that. He’s a very good professional. He’s been there before. Does he like it? No. But he’s trying to stay ready.”

According to the Bruins’ team reporter, Belle Fraser, Boston’s forward lines for Saturday’s game are as follows:

Khusnutdinov-E. Lindholm-Pastrnak
Mittelstadt-Zacha-Geekie
Jeannot-Minten-Kastelic
Viel-Kuraly-Eyssimont

Boston enters play coming off a 3-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Bruins are 20-15-0 and outside of a playoff spot.