Need to Know: Bruins vs. Flames

BOSTON - The Bruins return home from their lengthy swing through Western Canada on Tuesday night to take on the Calgary Flames at TD Garden. And they'll have some new faces alongside, as general manager Don Sweeney added wingers Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie to the mix via two trades with the Anaheim Ducks ahead of Tuesday's deadline.
Kase, who took part in practices on Monday and Tuesday, will not play against the Flames as he works his way back from flu-like symptoms. Ritchie, meanwhile, will make his Black & Gold debut alongside Charlie Coyle and Anders Bjork.
"Really exciting, they've been a great team for so long," Ritchie said following Tuesday's optional morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena. "First-place team - really exciting to get things going…it's the first time I was traded, so definitely a little bit different. I don't know what to expect, but lucky I knew a few guys and the other guys are super nice and welcoming."

Read: Ritchie Adds Size, Physicality Up Front

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy hopes that Ritchie can make an impact with his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame and provide a bit more beef to pair with Coyle and Bjork on Boston's third line.
"Obviously played in the league, big-bodied guy," said Cassidy. "Should be able to contribute with a net-front presence. Good shot, better hands than maybe he's got credit for. We'll have to see where he best fits here.…he's a tough guy. He can certainly take care of that part of the game.
"He's got good offensive instincts, showed that in junior…he'll get an opportunity to play with Coyle tonight. Could be [David] Krejci down the road. If that doesn't work, he might drop down. I don't know, it will kind of be up to him how he fits in.
"We want to play him with a centerman that can get him the puck and create space and get him in some offensive opportunities at least for now."

Opposing View

The Bruins and Flames are meeting for the second time in five days, right on the heels of a wild contest last Friday night in Calgary. The teams combined for six goals in the first 12-plus minutes of the game, with Boston overcoming two separate two-goal deficits.
Patrice Bergeron twice pulled the Bruins within a goal before Charlie Coyle tied things at 3 with a breakaway tally midway through the opening frame. Brad Marchand went on to tip home a Brandon Carlo wrister for the eventual winner just 52 seconds into the middle period.
Calgary is fresh off of a 4-2 win over the Red Wings on Sunday in the opener of a season-long, five-game road trip. The Flames added defenseman Erik Gustafsson (from Chicago) and Derek Forbort (L.A. Kings) at Monday's trade deadline.
Johnny Gaudreau paces the Flames with 52 points in 63 games, with Matthew Tkachuk (20-31-51) and goal-leader Elias Lindholm not far behind (27-23-50).

Wait, There's More

• Tuukka Rask will get the start between the pipes.
• Par Lindholm will center Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner on Boston's fourth line. Karson Kuhlman will skate with Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
• Before tonight's game against the Calgary Flames, Jaroslav Halak will be honored with a pregame ceremony marking his 500th career NHL game. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7 p.m.
• It's First Responders Night, pres. by Jack Daniels Fire, at TD Garden as the Bruins show their appreciation for the men and women who serve our community.

Tuesday's Projected Lineup

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Karson Kuhlman
Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Anders Bjork
Sean Kuraly - Par Lindholm - Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Jeremy Lauzon
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak
Scratches: Anton Blidh, Connor Clifton, John Moore, and Joakim Nordstrom.