Miller Will Return to Lineup in Toronto

TORONTO - After missing the last nine games with an upper-body injury, Kevan Miller will be thrust back into the action on Saturday night for the Bruins' crucial Atlantic Division showdown with the Maple Leafs.
Miller will slide into his usual spot alongside Matt Grzelcyk on Boston's third pairing. Adam McQuaid will be the health scratch.
"I'm just excited to get back in," Miller said following the morning skate at Air Canada Centre. "The guys have been playing really well and just trying to continue to contribute and keep things simple and play my game.
"The coaches do a great job of getting guys into shape and making sure guys are ready to go. I've had a number of practices and feel pretty good. Just trying to keep things simple and contribute."

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy had hinted at a possible return for Miller last weekend in Vancouver, but with Boston's defense corps playing so well it was hard for the B's bench boss to yank anyone out of the lineup.
"Adam did a great job. Kevan did a great job before he got hurt," said Cassidy. "That's always a tough call when you're not playing guys that are healthy. But it's a good problem to have in the long run."

Boston currently has nine healthy bodies on the back end following the acquisition of Nick Holden from the Rangers earlier this week. Like with Miller, Cassidy will have to find the right time to get the 30-year-old Holden into game action.
"It's gonna be a day-to-day, game-to-game decision," said Cassidy. "No word on tomorrow. Let's get through tonight and see what we've got. He will get in there eventually. But I don't want to pinpoint."
Cassidy said that with the second end of a back-to-back on tap on Sunday in Buffalo, it could be a chance to insert some fresh bodies into the lineup.
"Certainly an opportunity on back-to-backs to put a couple other guys in," said Cassidy. "Again, I don't want to say for sure. Our guys have played back-to-backs, we've been good in them for the most part….tomorrow is an opportunity if guys are a little tired."
Miller believes the depth of the Bruins' defense will be critical as the team gears up for the stretch run.
"It's great. You saw last year come playoffs, a lot can happen really quickly," Miller said when referring to the amount of injuries the team suffered. "I think that's something that they addressed and we've got a lot of good players. It's a good problem to have. Competition gets the most out of guys. Hopefully that's the case."

Matthews Out

Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews will not play on Saturday night after leaving Toronto's game against the Islanders with a reported shoulder injury. Matthews is considered day-to-day.
"We always tell you day to day, that usually means 10 and we go from there," said Toronto coach Mike Babcock. "He's fine, he's injured…he's going to get better. He'll be back soon."
The absence of the Leafs' top scorer - he has 28 goals and 50 points in 53 games - will not, however, change the Bruins' approach.
"They're a good team no matter who's in the lineup, let's face it," said Cassidy. "Should be a good hockey game. Obviously he's their leading scorer, so that's an element that they'll lose, but they've got plenty of other guys that score.
"It's going to be a good test for us no matter who's in. Hopefully he's back - he's a great young player - and it's nothing serious."
Boston currently holds a 1-point lead over the Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins, however, have five games in hand.
"There's a lot with this game, where we are in the standings, how close we are," said Brad Marchand. "I think with how we've played…they've kind of had our number for a while. They're a very tough team. It's a big battle for us. It's always a test for us against a team like this in their building - it's never easy to play here.
"We could potentially meet down the road. Want to make sure you're always prepared for each and every game."

Captain Canada

Brad Marchand sent his congratulations to former teammate Chris Kelly on Saturday morning after Kelly captained Team Canada to a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Kelly, who played with Marchand in Boston from 2011-2016, potted two goals in the victory over the Czech Republic. The 37-year-old has not played in the NHL this season.
"I'm very, very, very happy for him and Team Canada," said Marchand. "It's an incredible accomplishment. To see him go through everything he's gone through and have the career he's had and have an Olympic medal, it's incredible for him.
"I texted him right away and congratulated him. That's gonna be something that he remembers forever."

Saturday's Projected Lineup

Tuukka Rask will get the start between the pipes, with Anton Khudobin expected to get the call on Sunday in Buffalo.
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Ryan Spooner
Danton Heinen - Riley Nash - David Backes
Tim Schaller - Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin