Need to Know: Bruins vs. Capitals

BOSTON - The Bruins will be back at TD Garden on Wednesday night for just their sixth home game of the season, as they welcome Zdeno Chara and the Washington Capitals to Causeway Street. It marks the first time that Chara - the B's captain from 2006-20 - will play in Boston as a visitor since March 2006.
"Every time a player like that comes back home it's a special night," said Chara's long-time teammate and B's alternate captain David Krejci. "Without fans tonight it will be a little bit different. But it's gonna be nice to see him again. And for him, I'm sure it's gonna be nice to play at the Garden. He was here for a long time."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop on NBCSN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Trending Well

Krejci and Matt Grzelcyk are likely to make their returns to the lineup with Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy saying both players are "trending very well" after getting through Wednesday's morning skate without any issues.
Krejci has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, while Grzelcyk has suited up just six times this season due to a number of different ailments. The latest has kept him out since Feb. 10, when he was hurt in his first game back from a separate injury.
"It's been tough, to be honest. Trying to not get too down," Grzelcyk said of his injury-riddled campaign. "It's been exciting seeing the team come together and play well. I think we've done a great job battling through adversity. But, of course, you want to be there joining your teammates.
"I think this time was quite a lot of frustration. Just wanted to take some time off for a couple games, and then to come back and have it happen a couple times is unfortunate. But still a lot of games left and I think the focus was now don't come back until I'm 100 percent ready and feeling confident.
"That's how I feel going into the game tonight and I'm just excited to be back, it's been a long time."

Debut Performance

Jarred Tinordi will make his Bruins debut after being claimed off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The veteran blue liner made the nearly 17-hour drive from the Music City over the weekend but told Cassidy he feels ready to go for Wednesday's tilt against the Washington. Tinordi was paired with Connor Clifton during morning skate but is likely to move around as Cassidy tied to find the right combinations on the back end.
"We had a conversation this morning. Wanted to make sure he was in a good place in terms of his travel here, getting enough reps, felt comfortable. He wants to get in so that's what we're gonna do," said Cassidy.

Opposing View

The Capitals, in the midst of a five-game trip, have won three straight and carry a five-game point streak into Wednesday's matchup. Washington (12-5-4, 28 points) is tied with the New York Islanders (12-6-4, 28 points) at the top of the East Division, two points clear of the Bruins (12-5-2, 26 points).
"I think we knew at the start of the year there was gonna be five teams that we expected to be competing for first place, never mind a playoff spot and here we are with the five teams," Cassidy said of the East Division. "We're not gonna stress about the standings every day. We're gonna stress about how we're playing and playing the right way and playing winning hockey."
Washington is paced offensively by Nicklas Backstrom, who leads the team with 10 goals and 25 points in 21 games. Tom Wilson, Alex Ovechkin, and Jakub Vrana are all tied for second with seven goals apiece, while John Carlson ranks second in scoring with 19 points.
Per Caps coach Peter Laviolette, goalie Vitek Vanecek will get the start in goal on Wednesday.

By The Numbers

Wednesday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Nick Ritchie - David Krejci - Jake DeBrusk
Trent Frederic - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Sean Kuraly - Jack Studnicka - Chris Wagner
DEFENSEMEN
Jakub Zboril - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Jarred Tinordi - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak