Need to Know: Bruins vs. Capitals

BOSTON - The Bruins will be looking for another bounce back on Friday night as they close out a two-game set against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. Boston has dropped five of its last seven following Wednesday's shootout loss to the Caps, who hold a three-point lead over the B's for the top spot in the East Division.
"Right now, I'd say they are a measuring stick for a lot of teams," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of the Capitals. "Not just us - in our division. I think we're one of those teams as well. Makes for good matchups. We've got to go out and prove it every night, as do they.
"I think our guys are starting to recognize that this is not just another game in our division. It's against an elite team that you're probably going to have to go through at some point if you want to have success in the playoffs.
"I think that's a good thing. It brings the best out of you. It should."
Here's everything else you need to know for Friday's 7 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Man in the Middle

Jack Studnicka has been a center for the vast majority of his hockey career. It is the position where he has thrived at every level and where he is likely to succeed moving forward.
But with the likes of Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Charlie Coyle, and Sean Kuraly forming one of the best center corps in the National Hockey League, the best way for the 22-year-old to break on to the Bruins' roster following training camp was on the wing.
Studnicka did not look overmatched on the right side, but an injury in his sixth game of the season sidelined him for several weeks and gave him a chance to return to the middle when he got back on the ice with Providence.
But an injury to Krejci late last month provided Studnicka another opportunity with the big club over the last five games - this time at his natural position. Studnicka has looked far more comfortable in the middle during that stretch, so much so that Cassidy kept him there even after Krejci's return on Wednesday night.
"Natural, I guess, is the word I would use. Just feels like something I've been doing for 20 years," Studnicka said of playing center. "Definitely a little more comfortable. Less thinking, less trying to learn new things. Just feel more natural in there and it's been good so far."

Studnicka was slated to center Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner on Boston's fourth line for Wednesday's tilt against the Caps, but with Charlie Coyle missing the contest after entering COVID-19 protocols, Studnicka centered the third line between Trent Frederic and Jake DeBrusk.
"Firsthand, they're a tough team to play against," Studnicka said of Washington. "Definitely a good learning experience for me the other night. Probably feel more comfortable about it tonight, know the style that they like to play.
"There's not a lot of room out there - making strong plays, especially in the neutral zone. They're a strong heavy team, it was good for me to play against them once and fortunately I get to do it again tonight."
Studnicka has a goal and two assists in 11 games this season and has now played 13 games in his NHL career, with each contest providing him with more of an understanding of how he must play to remain a part of the Bruins' roster.
"Every single game, it feels like I'm learning something new and trying to build it into my own game," said Studnicka. "Pretty much every single game that's gone by it's been easy to pick up on things and learn the league and learn what types of plays happen and don't, little things like that. But definitely getting experience here and feeling more comfortable each game."

By The Numbers

Wait, There's More

• Coyle did not take part in morning skate as he remains in COVID-19 protocols.
• Cassidy said there will be no changes on the back end. Jarred Tinordi and Connor Clifton will remain as the Bruins' third pair.
• Jaroslav Halak will get the start in goal.