Bruins at Panthers
THE STORY: The Boston Bruins conclude a three-game road trip Thursday when they take on the Florida Panthers for a fourth and final time. Boston took two of the previous three meetings, outscoring Florida 11-4. The Bruins have taken six of seven in the series overall and eight of nine in Florida – including five in a row. Both clubs are clinging to one-point leads in their respective divisions with 13 games remaining.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSN (Florida)
ABOUT THE BRUINS (40-26-3): The Bruins have lost three straight overall and hold a slim one-point lead over the Ottawa Senators in the Northeast Division. Boston has trailed at least 2-0 in its last three contests and is having issues in goal. "Our goaltenders, both of them, know they probably have to be better for us, but so does the rest of the team when you look at the mistakes that are made," coach Claude Julien said Wednesday. "So right now, today was one of those days where we're trying to fix things a bit and bring a little bit more stability to our game and confidence." Goalie Tim Thomas is 2-4-0 with a 3.92 GAA over his last seven games, but is 6-2-1 with a 1.21 GAA versus the Panthers since 2008-09.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (33-23-13): Florida has won the first two of a four-game homestand to stay a point in front of the Washington Capitals in the Southeast Division. Goaltender Jose Theodore has two straight wins and three in a row at BankAtlantic Center, where he has a 1.82 GAA over his last 16 home games. Forward Kris Versteeg could miss his ninth consecutive game with a lower-body injury. He’s tied for the team lead in goals (22) and points (49) with Tomas Fleischmann.
OVERTIME:
1. Boston winger Benoit Pouliot (lower body) is doubtful for Thursday, while defenseman Adam McQuaid (upper body) is questionable.
2. Bruins forwards Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand both have three goals and two assists in three contests vs. the Panthers.
3. Florida is four points behind Boston for the second overall seed in the Eastern Conference.