Need to Know: Bruins vs. Blue Jackets

BOSTON - The Bruins have another chance at history on Thursday night as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden. Boston (57-12-5) can, once again, set the franchise record for single-season victories (58), while also having a chance to secure the fourth Presidents' Trophy in team history with a win or a Carolina loss in regulation.

If the Bruins attain one point against Columbus and Carolina loses to Detroit in any fashion, they would also clinch the NHL's top seed.
Boston, however, is far more focused on its process and rebounding from Tuesday's lackluster loss to the Nashville Predators.
"I didn't even talk about it. We talked more about our process and getting back to playing Bruins hockey," coach Jim Montgomery said of the chance to wrap up the Presidents' Trophy.
"I think we're just gonna continue to do what we've done most of the year. We stay in a process that we believe in…we come in and we analyze why we didn't perform to our normal standard and we discuss it and we talk about how we're gonna be better against Columbus and that's how we've approached the whole season."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. ET puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Lauko Back In

After sitting out Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury suffered on Sunday in Carolina, Jakub Lauko will be back in the lineup as the fourth-line left wing alongside Tomas Nosek and Garnet Hathaway. Montgomery said he has noticed a noticeable uptick in confidence from Lauko during his latest stint with the big club.
"We've seen it in his play quite a bit," said Montgomery. "There's been, at times, some drop off but here he's been consistent and we're seeing a difference mentally in him, just the way he carries himself, how confident he is being an NHL player, being around his teammates, being around the coaches and everything. Yeah, we've seen a difference."
Montgomery added that the club sees Lauko "staying as a Bruin" in Boston even when Providence begins its playoff run next month.

Wait, There's More

• Linus Ullmark will make his second consecutive start between the pipes, a slight variation to what's been a straight rotation with Jeremy Swayman of late. Montgomery said the coaching staff - including goalie coach Bob Essensa - has an eye on the postseason with the decision. "We figured this little run here we can get him three games in six days, that's gonna replicate a little bit of the playoffs," said Montgomery. "It's also gonna allow Swayman to get some games on the back end of that."
• On the back end, Jakub Zborill will sub in for Matt Grzelcyk, who is taking his turn out of the lineup as part of the defense rotation.
• Montgomery hinted that Oskar Steen, who suited up on Sunday in Carolina, is likely to start the playoffs with Providence. "Providence is having a great year too so they're gonna need bodies down there to have a successful run," said Montgomery. "The organization's having a real good year and there's a huge benefit to players understanding how to win in playoffs, doesn't matter if it's the American League or the NHL."
• Columbus, dealing with a bevy of injuries across the roster has lost back-to-back games to Montreal and the New York Rangers by a combined score of 14-4. The Blue Jackets (23-43-7, 53 points) are at the bottom of the NHL's standings, one point behind Chicago.

Thursday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Jake DeBrusk
Pavel Zacha - David Krejci - David Pastrnak
Tyler Bertuzzi - Charlie Coyle - Trent Frederic
Jakub Lauko - Tomas Nosek - Garnet Hathaway
DEFENSEMEN
Dmitry Orlov - Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
Jakub Zboril - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman