Need to Know: Bruins vs. Penguins

BOSTON - The Bruins' seven-game homestand continues on Thursday as the Black & Gold welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to TD Garden. Boston will be aiming to build on their shootout victory over the Devils on Tuesday as they enter a crucial stretch of four straight games and five of six against the teams - the Pens and Flyers - directly above and below them in the standings.
"We've always tried to look after ourselves around here. It's important to build our game," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "We feel that if we get our game going, we can beat anybody in this league and now, this year, in our division. Obviously, you want to beat the teams around you, you want to win the games you're supposed to. You want to beat the best teams to show you can compete.
"I think that's it. Whoever the next team up is, there's always a reason to go out and play well and beat them. Obviously, stretches in the schedule are more important than others. The old proverbial four-point game. When you're only playing in your division, every game is a four-point game."
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

DeBrusk Hits the Ice

For the first time since landing on the COVID protocol list on March 19, Jake DeBrusk took the ice for a solo skate at Warrior Ice Arena on Thursday morning. The winger remained on the list as of Wednesday night.
Sean Kuraly was removed from the list on Wednesday and joined his teammates for practice. The 28-year-old skated again on Thursday during an optional morning skate, which also included injured winger Ondrej Kase, who has not played since the second game of the season in New Jersey.

Opposing View

The Penguins have won four in a row and sit third in the East Division with 48 points this season, seven points ahead of the Bruins - who have four games in hand - for the final playoff spot.
Sidney Crosby, once again, paces the Penguins with 39 points in 35 games. He is also tied with Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust for the team lead in goals with 14.
Evgeni Malkin remains out of the lineup. He has not played since suffering a lower-body injury against the Bruins on March 16.
"Matchups become a little easier," Cassidy said when asked how Malkin's absence changes the B's approach. "He's certainly capable of driving a line. [Teddy] Blueger is out, I believe, as well…they lose two of their four centerman. Kind of like us without Kuraly. Kuraly's always been a good matchup guy for us.
"It does change things a little bit. The team has done very well…can't take anything for granted, but it would change the matchups. Maybe how you design your penalty kill…but in terms of preparing for a good hockey club, no. They're still winning a lot of games."
Per the Penguins, Tristan Jarry is day-to-day after leaving Pittsburgh's win over the Islanders on Tuesday with an upper-body injury. Casey DeSmith will get the start against the B's on Thursday night.

By the Numbers

• David Krejci is one assist shy of his 500th NHL helper.
• Patrice Bergeron is four points short of 900 for his career. He is two points from tying Rick Middleton for fourth place overall on the team's scoring list (898).
• The Bruins host the Penguins tonight in the fifth of eight games between these teams this season and the third of four at TD Garden. Overall, the Bruins and Penguins are meeting for the 215th time in their histories with the Bruins having a 119-66-21-8 record and 812-655 scoring advantage in those games.
• The Bruins are 3-1-0 in the first four games of this season's series vs. the Penguins with a 3-2 overtime win in Boston on Jan. 26, a 4-1 home victory on Jan. 28, a 4-1 road loss on March 15, and a 2-1 road victory on March 16.
• The B's have taken points out of their last 13 games in Boston at 12-0-1, including wins in their last 10 straight, with their last regulation home loss vs. the Penguins a 3-2 setback on Oct. 13, 2013. They are 14-5-3 in their last 22 games overall vs. the Penguins.

Thursday's Projected Lineup

Per Cassidy, there will be no lineup changes for the Bruins, outside of Daniel Vladar getting the start between the pipes.
FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Nick Ritchie - David Krejci - Craig Smith
Anders Bjork - Charlie Coyle - Zach Senyshyn
Anton Blidh - Trent Frederic - Karson Kuhlman
DEFENSEMEN
Jeremy Lauzon - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Jakub Zboril - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Daniel Vladar
Jaroslav Halak