Hamilton likely to replace suspended Ference

Saturday, 05.04.2013 / 12:44 PM | Matt Kalman  - NHL.com Correspondent

BOSTON -- Despite the Boston Bruins' best efforts to keep everything secret, they can't hide the fact Andrew Ference will not play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at TD Garden.

Ference was suspended by the NHL for one game Thursday for a hit during the Bruins' 4-1 win in Game 1 (7 pm. ET, CBC, RDS, CNBC, NESN).

Regardless who goes into Ference's lineup spot -- and all indications are it'll be rookie Dougie Hamilton -- the other five defensemen will have to adjust, and some might see their minutes increased.

Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg, Boston's shutdown pair in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, will probably be separated. It appears Seidenberg will shift back to his strong side, the left, and play with right-shooting Johnny Boychuk. Adam McQuaid will stay on the right side and be paired with Chara.

"We switch up our partners regularly. So it's not a big deal changing partners tonight and changing from one side to another," Seidenberg said after his team's morning skate Saturday. "It's not a big deal. I mean there's little differences, the way you position yourself when you receive the puck and when you break out a puck. But other than, it's pretty basic."

Bruins coach Claude Julien mentioned during his pregame media conference that he was deciding between Hamilton and Matt Bartkowski for his sixth defenseman. But Bartkowski was confirmed present in Hershey, where the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League will play a playoff game Saturday night. Bartkowski had not been recalled as of noon.

For the second straight day, Rich Peverley skated with Chris Kelly and Jaromir Jagr. So it appears Peverley will replace Kaspars Daugavins.

Here's a look at the Bruins' projected lineup:

Milan LucicDavid KrejciNathan Horton

Brad MarchandPatrice BergeronTyler Seguin

Rich PeverleyChris KellyJaromir Jagr

Daniel PailleGregory CampbellShawn Thornton

Zdeno CharaAdam McQuaid

Dennis SeidenbergJohnny Boychuk

Wade ReddenDougie Hamilton

Tuukka Rask

Anton Khudobin

Scratched: Aaron Johnson, Jay Pandolfo, Carl Soderberg, Kaspars Daugavins

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