Johansson Rejoins Team for Practice

TAMPA - With the regular-season schedule dwindling, the Bruins appear to be getting healthy at just the right time.
Of course, the way this campaign has gone for the Black & Gold, there is no guarantee they will be at full strength come the postseason - in fact, that is certain to be the case with Sean Kuraly now sidelined for the next four weeks with a fractured hand.
But Boston is hoping to be as close to its full lineup as possible, and with Marcus Johansson, Torey Krug, Matt Grzelcyk, and Kevan Miller all inching closer to their returns to game action, that is becoming more of a likelihood.

Of those four, Johansson is the closest to suiting up and has been termed a game-time decision for Monday's night's tilt with Tampa. Johansson, who skated with the full group for the first time during Sunday's practice at the Lightning's training facility, has missed the last nine games with a lung contusion.
The injury came just 59 seconds into Johansson's fourth game with Boston following his acquisition from New Jersey at the trade deadline. The 28-year-old went down after a heavy hit from Carolina forward Micheal Ferland on March 5 and just last week resumed skating on his own.
"It was a lot of fun to get out there after missing a couple weeks, it's fun to be out there with the guys and practice," said Johansson. "It's good to get some battle in and make sure everything is OK…when you're out, you just miss it. There's nothing worse than sitting out and watching. Just excited to be here."

Johansson practiced on the right wing alongside Jake DeBrusk and David Krejci, the same spot he had played in his first four contests in Black & Gold, during which the trio appeared to develop some instant chemistry.
"They're fun guys to play with" said Johansson. "I had a lot of fun the games that I played with them. They make it easy on you, they're so good with the puck, moving the puck and making plays. Just have to try to be in the right spot for them. That helps.
The Sweden native hopes that the trio's strong rapport helps him adjust as he re-enters the lineup.
"You watch every game and you know the systems…I don't think that that will be an issue," said Johansson. "I'm just happy to be out there on the ice with the guys and getting back into the groove of things."
Johansson was not the only player to practice with the full group on Sunday, as Krug (out the last five games with a concussion) skated in a gold non-contact jersey. Krug will not play against Tampa, nor will fellow blue liners Grzelcyk and Miller, both of whom joined the team towards the tail end of practice for some skating drills.
Chris Wagner was the lone player not to skate on Sunday. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said following practice that the winger sat out for a maintenance day.
"I assume he'll play tomorrow," said Cassidy. "It's just a precautionary thing with him. But should be ready to go."

Finding A Groove

No matter which combination Cassidy has used as his fourth line this season, there hasn't been much for him to complain about. The trio of Kuraly, Noel Acciari, and Chris Wagner has been one of the league's best bottom trios, and the line's current iteration is not that far off.
Injuries have caused Cassidy to do some more shuffling of late, with Joakim Nordstrom, Acciari, and David Backes the latest combination. It has worked quite well, with the line notching a goal in all three games of the road trip.
"Just three guys that have been looking for a spot to fit and guys that are willing to work hard, be tough to play against and be simple and predictable to each other," said Backes, who has points (goal, assist) in consecutive games for the second time this season.
"The equation seems to work out in the end where we're getting pucks in the corner, we've got enough ability and grind to get pucks back and stop and then find guys in the slot. Was able to find Noel, Noel was able to find me in the slot the game before.
"Nordy's hanging around the net. He's obviously got the wheels to shut things down and be in great positions defensively. It just seems to work when you're all putting the effort in, the rest can sort of take care of itself."

The Final Countdown

Just seven games remain in the Bruins' regular season, two against the NHL's top team, the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the second meeting set for the season finale at TD Garden, when both teams could be resting players, Monday night's showdown could be the final real test for Boston ahead of the postseason.
Both teams have clinched playoff spots, with the Lightning already securing the Presidents' Trophy. Tampa is coming off a 4-3 loss to St. Louis on Saturday night, but remains a staggering 19 points ahead of the Bruins.
"It's Tampa, they're the No. 1 team in the National Hockey League," said Cassidy. "Last time [in the Bruins' 4-1 win at TD Garden on Feb. 28], I thought we played them very well, so I'm sure they'll have that in the back of their mind. They've also clinched the top spot, so they may have other things that they're worried about.
"I can only worry about us. We want to keep playing well. I'm sure our guys will be excited to play because it's Tampa and we've developed a nice rivalry with them."