COYLE

BOSTON – The Bruins’ three-game homestand continues with a matchup against Atlantic Division rival Toronto on Tuesday night at TD Garden. Boston, which has lost three straight games dating back to before the 4 Nations break, will have a different look up front as Cole Koepke and Oliver Wahlstrom sub in for Justin Brazeau and Riley Tufte.

“We’ve got to inject some speed into our lineup tonight against Toronto. Fast team. We want to get some pace back into our game a little bit more here so [Koepke] can provide that,” said interim head coach Joe Sacco.

“There’s been a number of guys that have been in and out of the lineup in our bottom six at times,” added Sacco. “Just more consistency in [Wahlstrom’s] game is what we expect from him. Using his speed, effective on the forecheck, reloading, making sure that when he’s on that line they’re hard to play against”

Wahlstrom, who sat out Saturday’s loss to Anaheim as a healthy scratch, said he is focused on his speed and skating as areas for improvement to remain a consistent presence in the Bruins’ lineup.

“Just working on my skating, my speed, try to get that shot off as best I can and find those openings,” said Wahlstrom, who will skate alongside Trent Frederic and Matt Poitras on Boston’s third line. “Potsy’s a really good playmaker, a good skater, Freddy’s good down low. I think we’ve just got to grind down low and find some areas to get the shot off.”

Sacco did not announce a starting goalie, though Jeremy Swayman was the first netminder off the ice at morning skate, indicating he is likely to get the start between the pipes.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected

      Sacco talks before Boston plays Toronto on Tuesday

      Opposing View

      The Maple Leafs (35-20-2, 72 points) enter Tuesday night’s contest as winers of two straight and sit atop the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Florida Panthers. Mitch Marner (16 goals, 55 assists) paces the club with 17 points in 56 games, while William Nylander leads the team with 33 goals and ranks second with 58 points.

      John Tavares (22-26—48), Auston Matthews (21-26—47), and Matthew Knies (21-15—36) round out the team’s top five scorers.

      Joseph Woll has taken the majority of the starts in goal with a 20-11-0 record, 2.63 goals against average, and .910 save percentage.

      “I’m excited, should be a good game,” said Wahlstrom. “Toronto plays a fast, skilled game. We’ve just got to get to our game early and stick to it…play predictable, play the style that we normally play. It’s coming down to crunch time now. I think every period is important right now.”

      Video Player is loading.
      Current Time 0:00
      Duration 0:00
      Loaded: 0%
      Stream Type LIVE
      Remaining Time 0:00
       
      1x
        • Chapters
        • descriptions off, selected
        • captions off, selected

          Wahlstrom meets with the media ahead of BOS vs. TOR

          Tuesday’s Projected Lineup

          FORWARDS

          Brad Marchand – Elias Lindholm – Charlie Coyle

          Morgan Geekie – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak

          Trent Frederic – Matt Poitras – Oliver Wahlstrom

          Cole Koepke – Johnny Beecher – Mark Kastelic

          DEFENSEMEN

          Nikita Zadorov – Brandon Carlo

          Michael Callahan – Parker Wotherspoon

          Mason Lohrei – Andrew Peeke

          GOALIES

          Jeremy Swayman

          Joonas Korpisalo

          Video Player is loading.
          Current Time 0:00
          Duration 0:00
          Loaded: 0%
          Stream Type LIVE
          Remaining Time 0:00
           
          1x
            • Chapters
            • descriptions off, selected
            • captions off, selected

              Poitras talks with the media before BOS vs. TOR