Bruins at Panthers
After seeing their lead atop the Atlantic Division trimmed to one point, the NHL-leading Boston Bruins have taken command in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. Holding a healthy nine-point cushion over Tampa Bay atop the division, the Bruins go for their fourth consecutive victory when they wrap up a three-game road trip at the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.
Boston may have very well cemented the Atlantic title with Wednesday's 2-1 win over the second-place Lightning, its 14 victory over the last 17 games (14-3-0). "For us to go up nine points, especially before Saturday's game when we play (Tampa Bay) again, it's definitely an important two points to collect," defenseman Torey Krug said after the Bruins moved within four points of reaching 100. While the Bruins are surging again, the Panthers are heading in the wrong direction, dropping three in a row and five of six (1-4-1) to put a dent in their postseason hopes. “Obviously disappointed, we’ve put ourselves in a really tough spot," coach Joel Quenneville said after Sunday's 3-0 home loss to Calgary. "Let’s find a way to bring some excitement in our team game and get the building going in our favor.”
TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: NESN, FS Florida, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific
ABOUT THE BRUINS (42-13-12): David Pastrnak, named the NHL's Third Star of the Month for February, has scored nine goals in his last 10 games to boost his league-leading total to 47 and also tallied three times in two matchups against Florida. Jake DeBrusk, who scored once and set up another versus Florida this season, ended a 10-game goal drought with his 19th in the win over Tampa Bay. "Anytime it goes in the net, it's a good feeling," said DeBrusk who ended the dry spell in his 200th career game. "I haven't seen that in a while."
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (33-26-7): Florida continues to struggle badly at BB&T Center, earning just one point thus far on its five-game homestand while matching a franchise record with seven consecutive defeats on home ice. The Panthers could be without starting netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who tweaked a lower-body injury in warmups Sunday, but a spirited practice left the team feeling upbeat. "It was a great day for our team," forward Erik Haula said. "I think the Panthers got better today, and I think you're going to see a different team Thursday."
OVERTIME
1. Panthers D Keith Yandle has two goals and five points in two meetings versus Boston this season.
2. Bruins F Brad Marchand, who missed Wednesday's practice due to food poisoning, has scored in four straight games.
3. The Panthers recalled G Chris Driedger from Springfield of the American Hockey League.