Need to Know: Bruins vs. Capitals

BOSTON - The Bruins will be aiming to rebound from their setback against the Hurricanes when they host the Washington Capitals on Thursday night at TD Garden. Boston is playing its fifth game of a seven-game homestand.
"Players like playing, especially when things are going well," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of the uptick in the Bruins' schedule. "I think they'll be ready to go in terms of energy level. The other night obviously was a dud. It happens during the year; you've just got to monitor and make sure it doesn't creep in too often.
"That's what we addressed [on Wednesday], had a good, energized practice. It was optional today so guys can get their energy level back up for tonight."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of tonight's 7 p.m. puck drop on ESPN+ and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Foligno Likely to Return

After missing the last five games with a lower-body injury, Nick Foligno will be back against the Capitals if he gets through warmups without any setbacks, which Cassidy said, "I think is just a formality now." Foligno's return would bump Oskar Steen from the lineup.
"We had a few different candidates we discussed. I think with Oskar, he like everybody, wasn't at his best the other night. But he's played well for us," said Cassidy. "It was a tough decision. But at the end of the day, it's easier to switch to go in and just play the right side with [Charlie] Coyle and probably OK for Oskar to go upstairs and watch a game and sort of reset."
Steen impressed over the first few games following his call-up from Providence - he notched a goal and two assists in four games - but his production has slipped a bit of late, leading to a five-game point-less streak. As such, Cassidy believes it's a good time for the 23-year-old to watch from up top, though he doesn't expect the winger to be sitting for long.
"I don't expect it to be long term," said Cassidy. "We liked his play, like his energy. Nice to have some youth in there, but again we sorted through a couple of candidates and fell on him…like a lot of young guys you find out if they're where they're at mentally in that regard.
"You're going to go up, just as I said, and watch the game from up there and take a breather and our intention is to get you back in there. I can't guarantee it'll be Saturday because that depends on today's game, but it's not like we're disappointed in your play know it's dropped a little bit of late, but not to the point where we don't think you can help us win.
"It's just we have 13 healthy forwards. Someone has to sit and it's your turn tonight and make sure you bring your work ethic and Friday's practice. Be ready to go Saturday if your numbers up on the board."

Urho on the Way Up

Urho Vaakanainen has looked far more confident and comfortable in his latest stint with the Bruins, his six-game stretch marking the longest with the big club across his four professional seasons. The 23-year-old credits his strong play - he's got four assists in six games - to moving his feet more efficiently and getting puck to the net more frequently.
"I've been playing good hockey all year, building confidence in Providence and just been doing that same thing up here. When you play good, you build some confidence," said Vaakanainen. "Obviously last game we didn't play so well as a team - but overall, the six games have been pretty good…[trying to] be a little more offensive, but overall I've liked my game. Try to build on that."
The Finland native said he has had to learn to become more even-keel during his time in North America, admitting that he was more likely to get frustrated earlier in his career when his previous call-ups to Boston only lasted for a few games at a time.
"It's been a work in progress, especially when I was younger," said Vaakanainen. "Maybe I was a little too tough on myself. But you learn and I just try to not be so tough on myself. Just try to learn every day. When you get the chance, just make the best of it."
Vaakanainen appeared to notch his first career goal last week against Montreal, but a postgame scoring change by the NHL awarded the tally to Curtis Lazar instead. He's looking forward to making the next one count for good.
"After I saw the replays, obviously it hit Lazer in the leg or somewhere," he said. "I don't know. It was a little bit disappointing; we had the photos and everything. I got the puck and stuff. But just have to do it again."

Opposing View

The Capitals will be without three key players on Thursday night with forward Conor Sheary and defenseman John Carlson in COVID-19 protocol and defenseman Dmitry Orlov serving a two-game suspension for kneeing.
Washington is coming off a 4-3 overtime win over Winnipeg on Tuesday and has won two of three since the Bruins overcame a two-goal deficit for a 7-3 victory on Jan. 10 in Washington.

Thursday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Craig Smith
Taylor Hall - Erik Haula - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - Charlie Coyle - Nick Foligno
Anton Blidh - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar

DEFENSEMEN
Matt Grzelcyk - Charlie McAvoy
Urho Vaakanainen - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Tuukka Rask