Need to Know: Bruins vs. Panthers

BOSTON- The Bruins could be beefing up their blue line this weekend with defense partners Matt Grzelcyk and Kevan Miller nearing returns from injury.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said following Friday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena that both are considered "game-time decisions" for Saturday's matinee with Florida, but that Grzelcyk "looks like he's a day ahead of Kevan."
Grzelcyk has missed the last eight games with an arm injury suffered on March 10 in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old was injured on a hit by Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist, which crunched Grzelcyk's arm between Hornqvist's hip and the boards.

"You're not really sure what's going through your head at the time, I guess you kind of go into shock," said Grzelcyk, who added that he was feeling good and hopeful to be back in the lineup on Saturday. "Just looking back at it, I guess it could have been a lot worse. Thankful that I don't have to be out too long and get a few games in before the playoffs."
After an initial X-ray in Pittsburgh was negative, Grzelcyk returned to Boston for an MRI, which revealed damage far less significant than expected, given the way things looked on the ice.
"I was in quite a bit of pain," said Grzelcyk. "Just praying to get an MRI and hopefully nothing turns out too glaring, which it didn't. Feeling very fortunate."

Should he get back in to the lineup on Saturday, Grzelcyk would have five games to knock off the rust ahead of the postseason. He is confident that will be more than enough time to get his game back in gear.
"I hope so. I've been working hard with Kevan Miller, obviously, and [Marcus] Johansson for a while to get our legs under us and be prepared for when we do get back," said Grzelcyk. "I'm sure there's gonna be a little rust shaking off in terms of gaps, got caught a few times out there [in practice] trying to be a little too overaggressive. Just try to use my feet to my advantage and hopefully shake that rust off as soon as I can."
Miller, meanwhile, appears poised for a return on Sunday night in Detroit. He has not played since Feb. 23, an upper-body injury sidelining him for the last 15 games.
"It's kind of up to the coaches and the training staff," Mille said of his return date. "We'll have a conversation and kind of go from there."
It has been a challenging season for the 31-year-old, who has suited up for just 36 games. Miller missed time earlier in the season with larynx and hand injuries, both the result of being hit with a puck.
"Obviously it's been a frustrating year for me," said Miller. "It's been especially hard to watch the guys and I'm doing my best to cheer them on from the sidelines and make sure that I'm ready when that time comes. Once I get in, I'm gonna do my best to get up to speed as quick as I can and help the guys."

Johansson Promoted

The additions of Marcus Johansson and Charlie Coyle at the trade deadline gave Cassidy plenty of options when it comes to line combinations. But with Johansson and David Pastrnak both missing significant time since the deadline due to injury, Cassidy's ability to find the right permutations was hampered.
Now, with both players back in the lineup, Cassidy is doing his best to get a look at different trios. That shuffling began on Wednesday night against the Rangers, with Pastrnak sliding down to play with David Krejci and Johansson playing alongside Coyle.
The mixing and matching continued at Friday's practice with Cassidy placing Johansson on the B's top line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
"He's got playmaking ability, finishing ability. We haven't seen the best of Marcus yet for obvious reasons. He's been moved around, he's been injured, and we just tried him there today," Cassidy said of Johansson, who missed 10 games with a lung contusion before returning against the Rangers on Wednesday.
Pastrnak has played with DeBrusk and Krejci in limited instances over the past two years and had a strong performance alongside them in Wednesday's win over New York.

"Obviously Pasta did a nice job with Krejci and DeBrusk," said Cassidy. "It's something we talked about doing for a long time this year. I always found that Danton [Heinen] probably does his best work on that third line, down in the lineup.
"[Marcus] is on his off side, which we're still not sure that's ideal. But someone does have to play their off side, unless we start messing with our fourth line and I don't think we're gonna do that."

Chara Honored

On Thursday, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was named the team's nominee for the 2019 Bill Masterton Trpohy by the Boston chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The Masterton Trophy - for which Chara was also a nominee in 2017 - is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
"It's a huge honor," said Chara. "Thanks to [the media] for the recognition and the input. I really take it to the heart and I really appreciate it. It's something that I take a lot of pride in the way I try to handle myself and do my part with this team every day.
"Again, thank you for recognizing it - and it's also a reflection that we have a really good team and it's a lot of fun to come here every day and be with the guys and play for each other."
Chara noted that at age 42, and in his 21st season in the National Hockey League, he certainly appreciates the accolades a bit more than he did earlier in his career.
"Of course I do, I never take it for granted," said Chara, who was recently inked to a one-year contract extension. "It's something that's a recognition you shouldn't take lightly. It's something that there is purpose and reason behind it.
"Very grateful…very proud and honored to be part of this organization and this team and having the teammates that I have."

Opposing View

The Panthers enter Saturday's matinee coming off a 5-2 victory over the Senators, which snapped a three-game losing streak that began with a 7-3 setback to the Bruins on March 23 in Sunrise.
Forward Aleksander Barkov paces the Panthers with 90 points in 78 games, while Mike Hoffman leads the way with 35 goals. Former Bruin Frank Vatrano has 23 goals and 38 points in 77 games this season.
Florida, recently eliminated from playoff contention, is fifth in the Atlantic Division with 80 points.

Saturday's Projected Lineup

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Marcus Johansson
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - David Pastrnak
Danton Heinen - Charlie Coyle - Chris Wagner
Joakim Nordstrom - Noel Acciari - David Backes
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Connor Clifton
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak