Here are some other pregame notes ahead of Bruins-Panthers:
McQuaid back in: The blue liner will return to the lineup after sitting out Thursday's game in Tampa as a healthy scratch. McQuaid will be paired with familiar partner Torey Krug.
"He likes to get up the ice and he can create that second layer of attack," McQuaid said of Krug. "Just being aware of that and trying to support him in that if he gets up the ice and make sure you're there to recover if you need to. Also just get the puck in his hands as much as you can and make plays.
"You want to play well. With depth you know that guys can play. Just go out and play my game, hopefully play well and just be focused on that."
Acciari will center new-look line: With Sean Kuraly out with an upper-body injury, Acciari has centered the fourth line for the last three games. He'll be back in the middle on Thursday night, but with a different iteration of wingers. Tim Schaller will stay on his left side, but David Backes will play the right wing on what figures to be a heavy, physical trio.
"I think the toughest thing for me right now is faceoffs and getting back into the swing of things," said Acciari, who is a natural center. "My wingers will help me, I know that. The more draws you take the more used to it you get. It's something I've been trying to do more of in practice."
Wingels still out: Tommy Wingels will miss his second straight game with a hand injury, but could be back in the lineup on Saturday against Ottawa.
"We're going to give him another day," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "He's close but we're just going to err on the side of caution and give him the extra day and look at Saturday."
Cave stays in: With Wingels remaining out, Colby Cave will play his second straight game and center Danton Heinen and Brian Gionta on the Bruins' fourth line.
"I thought he was a little tentative at times, but he didn't hurt us," Cassidy said of Cave's performance in Tampa. "Positionally solid…he's had three years in Providence, he's going to have to be a little more assertive in his overall play. He can be. I've seen it, where his pace can attack more and be more physical at times.
"We're not asking him to be something he's not, but he's going to have to be his best Colby Cave for the most part because we've got a strong lineup and if he wants a chance to stay in that's what's going to happen."
Rick Nash skates again: Rick Nash (upper-body) skated for the third straight day back in Boston and could be closing in on a return to game action. He has not played since March 17 against Tampa.
"Again, doing well," said Casidy. "Assume he'll skate with us - I don't think he would skate tomorrow, but by Saturday."
There has been no progress, however, for Riley Nash (ear) and Sean Kuraly (upper-body), neither of whom have resumed skating.
"I'm going on the information I'm getting from the medical staff," said Cassidy. "Rick Nash would be the closest because he's skating. If he ends up skating with the team on Saturday then obviously he'd be very close.
"Until we get back to that, our next session as a whole team will probably be Saturday morning skate. If those guys are there then it starts to look positive."
