Need to Know: Bruins vs. Ducks

BOSTON -The Bruins will close out their seven-game homestand on Monday night when they host the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden. Boston, which has won five of the first six contests during its extended stretch on Causeway Street, will be without blue liner Matt Grzelcyk, who suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday afternoon against Winnipeg.
Grzelcyk returned to finish the game after missing a portion of the first period following a hit from behind by the Jets' Pierre-Luc Dubois, but did not take part in Monday's pregame skate.

"He's in today getting treatment, we'll list him as day-to-day for now until we hear differently," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
With Grzelcyk sidelined, Urho Vaakanainen will slide up to play alongside Charlie McAvoy on the Bruins' first defense pairing. Vaakanainen has four assists in eight games since being recalled from Providence earlier this month.
"I still think there's lots more evaluation to be done," said Cassidy. "It's been now a couple weeks now where he's played against good players every night…I think he's done a really good job for us for what he was drafted to do or what was on his resume when he got here - he could defend well with his feet, has a good stick, good hockey IQ.
"I would say we're pleased with how he's played. He's helped us win hockey games doing what we feel he does best. That's all we can ask. It's early, you've got to see consistency from these younger guys over a period of time, especially with a schedule that can wear you down."

Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Opposing View

The Ducks come to Boston - for the first time since Oct. 2019, a night when David Pastrnak potted four goals - a bit banged up with forwards Adam Henrique, Sonny Milano, and Max Jones on injured reserve. Josh Manson and Anthony Stolarz remain in COVID-19 protocol. Leading scorer Troy Terry (22 goals, 36 points in 38 games) and Cam Fowler came out of protocol over the weekend, though their status for Monday's game is unknown.
Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins is also in COVID-19 protocol, leaving former Bruins assistant coach Geoff Ward as the man in charge behind the bench for the Ducks on Monday night.
The Ducks are coming off a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay on Friday night behind 32 saves from All-Star netminder John Gibson. Anaheim (20-16-7, 47 points), which is kicking off a five-game road trip, is tied for second in the Pacific Division.
In addition to Terry, who was voted into the All-Star Game via the 'Last Men In' ballot last week, the Ducks have also received a boost from talented second-year forward Trevor Zegras, who has impressed with his creativity and skill and boasts a line of 10-19-29 in 37 games.
"There's a little bit more of an appetite for that," Cassidy said of Zegras' memorable assist from behind the net earlier this season. "Players have that ability to do some unique things. I'm sure you'll see more and more of those types of plays…as hockey fans, I think you applaud those plays. Hopefully we don't get burned by it."

Wait, There's More

Monday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Craig Smith
Taylor Hall - Erik Haula - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - Charlie Coyle - Oskar Steen
Nick Foligno - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMEN
Urho Vaakanainen - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Linus Ullmark