Need to Know: Bruins vs. Rangers

BOSTON - A win for the Bruins on Saturday night against the New York Rangers would be significant in more ways than one.
Boston would like nothing more than to go into their eight-day bye week on a high note, but a win with Tuukka Rask between the pipes would also be quite noteworthy for another reason. With two points against the Blue Shirts, Rask would become the winningest goalie in franchise history.
"I mean, it's an Original Six franchise. I've had the luxury to be here for many, many years, so obviously it means a lo, but many more to come hopefully," Rask said after tying Tiny Thompson for the top spot with his 252nd win on Thursday night against St. Louis.

Rask is riding a seven-game points streak (6-0-1) and has surged into fourth in the NHL in goals against average (2.42) and a tie for ninth - with running mate Jaroslav Halak - in save percentage (.920) this season
"Think we're playing pretty good defensively and so it's easier to kind of get set and get ready for those shots," said Rask. "There's not too many options…so it makes it easier to be a little bit more [set] and I think that plays a big part of it."
The Bruins can also send themselves into their lengthy break with some momentum, having posted a 10-4-1 record over their last 15 games entering the tilt with the Rangers.
"You want to string together as many wins as possible at all times, especially now, because when you go into this break here, this eight-, nine-day break, you want to go in on a good note," said Charlie McAvoy. "You don't want to have to wait eight days to get back on the right track. I think we'll play with a lot of urgency knowing that that's on the line and we have a chance to go into the break on a good note and feeling the right way, going the right way. I think we're just gonna play our game, but have that urgency that we need to have."

Saturday's Projected Lineup

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said on Saturday morning that Noel Acciari and Matt Grzelcyk will be back in the lineup, while Ryan Donato and John Moore will be the healthy scratches.
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Peter Cehlarik - David Krejci - Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen - Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson - David Backes
Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari - Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak

Homecoming Kings

For many of the Bruins - particularly McAvoy - Saturday's tilt with the Rangers will be somewhat of a reunion. Former Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid will make his first trip to TD Garden since being traded to New York on the opening day of training camp, while first-year Rangers bench boss and Rhode Island native David Quinn will coach in Boston for the first time in the NHL.
McAvoy played with McQuaid for parts of two seasons in Boston and credits Quinn, his coach at Boston University, as one of the most influential people in his development.
"Couple guys who I'm really excited to see. Both guys are great friends of mine," said McAvoy. "Quinnie, I had him for two years, two of the best years of growth and development that I had as a person and a player. He really molded me pretty well, allowed me to grow up while I was at school there, taught me a lot life lessons on the ice.
"He really grew me in the defensive side of the game, taught me how to be a defenseman when all I wanted to do is just run around and be the guy behind the goal line in the offensive zone. I'm very thankful that I was able to play for him. I'm thankful for all the things that he taught me. I'm thankful that we have such a good relationship like we do.
"But tomorrow I hope we kick their butt. Hope I'm thankful for two points tomorrow after we play against those guys."
The Rangers come to TD Garden having won two straight, including a 4-3 win over Chicago on Thursday night. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist achieved some history of his own with the victory, moving into a tie for sixth place on the NHL's all-time wins list with 445.
Massachusetts native Chris Kreider leads the Rangers with 22 goals, while Mika Zibanejad paces the Blue Shirts with 42 points.

A Blow for Bjork

For the second straight year, Anders Bjork has had his season ended by a shoulder injury. The 22-year-old was injured last month with Providence and recently underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder, which will require five to six months of rehabilitation.
Bjork needed a procedure on the same shoulder last February to repair a labral injury that also sidelined him for roughly six months, cutting short his rookie campaign. The Notre Dame alum was ready for training camp and made the Bruins roster after a strong preseason, but was assigned to the P-Bruins after notching a goal and two assists in 20 games.
"Hopefully [he] comes through it well. Assume he will. There's no reason why he shouldn't heal properly and come back to training camp next year and compete for a spot," said Cassidy. "He made some strides last year coming here. Camp, play away from the puck was solid. Tried to build up different parts of his game in Providence. Obviously with the injury that derails it a little bit, but he's going to be a more mature player here next year, hopefully stronger.
"We've seen a difference in Peter Cehlarik in a short period of time. And maybe Anders with a couple years pro under his belt, even though he's missed time, will be better off for it. When you have those injuries, you hope it doesn't set you back too far."