Need to Know: Bruins vs. Oilers

BOSTON - The Bruins will have Nick Foligno back in the lineup when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night as they aim to improve to a perfect 6-0 at TD Garden this season. Foligno, who started the season on the third line before missing eight games with an upper-body injury, will bump up to play the right side on Boston's second line with Taylor Hall and Charlie Coyle.
As such, Craig Smith - who missed three games earlier this season due to injury and has yet to register a point - will slide down to third-line right wing alongside Jake DeBrusk and Erik Haula.

"He was playing through an injury, so he didn't have his usual pop," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of Smith's slow start. "One of the things Smitty can do is separate out of a pile, get a loose puck, so as a result, he's not getting his shot opportunities. He's got a great release, great shot; he's just one of those guys who needs volume and eventually they'll go in.
"The puck hasn't found him as much in that regard. Hopefully, he seems better now, he's practicing more. We just switched it up. Foligno's very vocal and Charlie's quiet and Hall's quiet - we're trying to keep that combination together, that duo. Maybe Nick will pull them into the fight a little bit verbally while Smitty finds his game."
Anton Blidh will also make his return after missing seven games with an upper-body injury. Trent Frederic, who left Tuesday's game following a heavy hit from Josh Brown, will not play. Linus Ullmark will get the start between the pipes.

Remembering Colby

The Bruins and Oilers will come together on Thursday night to remember and honor the life of Colby Cave, who passed away in April 2020 at the age of 25 from a brain bleed. Cave played for both teams during his time in the NHL.
Cave's widow, Emily, will be in attendance and will perform the ceremonial puck drop following a pregame video tribute. The Boston Bruins Foundation will also be auctioning off both teams' game-used sticks with the proceeds benefiting the Colby Cave Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to community initiatives in both Boston and Providence. The 50/50 raffle from Thursday's game will also benefit the fund.
Following Wednesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena, Cassidy, Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, Matt Grzelcyk, Jake DeBrusk, and Brandon Carlo met with Emily Cave to present her with one of Colby's game-used sticks from his time with the Bruins, as well as share stories about their time together.
"Colby was one of the most genuine kids I've ever coached," said Cassidy, who coached Cave in both Providence and Boston. "At a lower level is where you get to know these kids at 20, 21. It's a little different when you're in the minors and they've left home.
"They've got to kind of find their identity there and they're so young and you want to do right by them as people and players. I think with that one, no one saw it coming so it's difficult…much more difficult for his family and Emily. But still it's jarring.
"Hopefully she's doing well, sounds like she is. Has some good memories here. Hopefully we'll have some positive experiences while she's in New England."

Opposing View

The Bruins will square off against the high-powered Edmonton Oilers for the first time since Feb. 19, 2020. Edmonton enters Thursday night's contest at 9-2-0, having had their four-game winning streak snapped by Detroit on Tuesday night.
The Oilers, in the midst of a five-game road trip, are paced, of course, by Connor McDavid, who along with teammate Leon Draisaitl, is leading the NHL with 23 points in just 11 games. Draisaitl leads Edmonton with 10 goals, while McDavid checks in with nine. Jesse Puljujarvi, who rides the right wing on the Oilers top line, has 13 points (six goals, seven assists).
Second-line winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is tied with McDavid for the league lead with 14 assists. On the back end, Darnell Nurse leads the way with nine helpers with Tyson Barrie chipping in eight points (two goals, six assists).
In goal, Mikko Koskinen has played eight games with a 7-1-0 record to go along with a 2.54 goals against average and .920 save percentage.
Edmonton leads the NHL in scoring with 4.18 goals per game and a 46.9 succes rate on the power play.
When it comes to defending McDavid, Cassidy will be looking to his top pair of Derek Forbort and Charlie McAvoy to get the most reps against the two-time Hart Trophy winner. Brandon Carlo and his long reach could also see time against the Oilers' top line. Regardless, it will be no easy task.
"You've got to try to force the puck out of his hands, which is difficult," Cassidy explained. "He's got some players that can finish as well. I think there's different challenges. In the past we tried to give him outside speed because he's gonna get it anyway, make sure we're taking away his outlets in the interior. If he beat you wide and puts it on net from there, then it's up to your goaltender a little bit.
"You're ceding ice when you do that but that's the type of player he is and the special attention he demands. That's probably the biggest challenge is having the discipline to do that, almost let him have it on the outside and at some point, when he gets inside, make sure you have numbers and that's when you've got to be good against him."

Thursday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - Charlie Coyle - Nick Foligno
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Craig Smith
Anton Blidh - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMEN
Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Mike Reilly - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman