Backes Expected Back in Lineup Against Bolts

BOSTON - David Backes is leading the injured cavalry back into game action.
After missing the last five games with a right leg laceration, the winger is expected back in the lineup on Thursday night for the Bruins' first-place showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden.

"They're not worried about infection anymore," said Backes, who was gashed by the skate of Lightning forward Yanni Gourde on March 17 in Tampa. "Got a new pair of pants that don't have years worth of bacteria filtering into that thing. Feel like we've done a good job of giving it time to close up and mitigate all the risk we can. Get the green light and let's play.
"These are the kind of games that if you're medically cleared you get in any way you can. Battle for first place in the Atlantic. Should be a heck of a game."
The 32-year-old was not the only Bruin to be back on the ice with his teammates for Thursday's pregame skate. Zdeno Chara, Charlie McAvoy, and Jake DeBrusk also participated, though they will not play on Thursday night. Sean Kuraly (upper-body) and Rick Nash (upper-body) were the only players not on the ice.
Also taking part in the session was Matt Grzelcyk, who left Tuesday night's game in Winnipeg with an upper-body injury after taking a hit from behind by Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey. The rookie blue liner has been termed a game-time decision for tonight's tilt, and if he can't play will be replaced by Tommy Cross, who was recalled from Providence on Thursday morning on an emergency basis. Paul Postma was returned to the P-bruins
"I feel good," said Grzelcyk. "A little bit better than I thought when I went out there today. Hoping I can play tonight."
Here's a complete rundown of Boston's injuries:
Zdeno Chara - upper body, missed seven games
"It's day-to-day," said Chara. "We go literally by 24 hours. Definitely I want to be out there, I want to play. But at the same time I have to do what's right for the team and what's right for me at this time of the year.
"I felt good, felt better than yesterday. That's what we want to have every day, progress and improvement. Again, hopefully it feels better tomorrow than it feels today."
Jake DeBrusk - upper-body, missed seven games
"Feeling good, feeling better each day," said DeBrusk. "Made lots of strides and getting closer. Nice to be with the guys and everyone back and skating with them today. Looking forward to tomorrow. [My return] depends on a couple different things to be honest, trying to get back as fast as possible.
"Obviously I want to play every game, especially at home. Progress [is going] in the right direction. I should be back soon, but saying that I won't know until tomorrow."
Sean Kuraly - upper-body, will not play on Thursday
The forward, one of three Bruins to have played in every game this season, will sit out for the first time with an upper-body injury suffered in Winnipeg. He did not take part in Thursday's morning skate.
Charlie McAvoy - sprained MCL in right knee, missed 12 games
"Felt great [to skate], been missing these guys a lot," said McAvoy. "They've been gone all month, haven't seen very much of them. It's good to have everybody back and be out there with the guys…we're progressing and it's getting better every day, getting closer every day. Keep showing up every day and doing what I can to get better.
"It's exciting to be out there, but got to stay patient."
Rick Nash - upper-body, missed five games
"He's improving daily, still not ready to play," said Cassidy. "Saw him this morning. He was working out. That's where he's at right now. Not on the ice yet."
Cassidy said he hopes to have all of his injured players back in time for the postseason. Chara, McAvoy, and DeBrusk could return as soon as this weekend.
"I think so. The guys that are skating should be ready," said Cassidy. "Rick's not, so until he's on the ice that one we'll see. But the rest of the guys I anticipate. We'll leave it at that. When he gets back on the ice, we'll have a better judge of whether he's ready for playoffs on opening night or not. The other guys I suspect now that they're skating are within Saturday, Sunday-ish."

Lightning Rod

The Bruins host Tampa Bay tonight with first place in the Eastern Conference on the line. Boston sits 1 point behind the Lightning entering the contest.
"They are division rivals and I think they will be for years," said Cassidy. "I look at young Toronto team, a young Tampa team, I look at a young Boston team - I believe we'll be going at each other for a long time….hopefully we're developing rivalries with these teams. In this moment, we're playing for first place tonight. We don't talk about it, but that's what's on the table. Hopefully it goes our way."
And even though the Bruins are aware of their ability to jump into first place, that is not the No. 1 focus on their minds.
"We're not thinking about the first seed, we're pushing ourselves to be better and be better for the playoffs," said Patrice Bergeron. "Hopefully it is. We're trying to win games and get those points. It's a big game for us that way, but that being said the most important thing is to make sure we keep playing the right way and keep sticking to the system."

Thursday's Projected Lineup

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Ryan Donato - David Krejci - Brian Gionta
Danton Heinen - Riley Nash - David Backes
Tim Schaller - Noel Acciari - Tommy Wingels
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk/Tommy Cross - Kevan Miller
Nick Holden - Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin