Canucks at Bruins preview

CANUCKS (2-2-1) at BRUINS (2-3-0)
7 p.m. ET; SN360, NESN, NHL.TV

Rask is out with a concussion sustained in a collision during practice Wednesday. Anton Khudobin will make his second start of the season; he made 29 saves in a 6-2 win at the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.
Forward David Backes was activated from injured reserve and will make his season debut for the Bruins, and center Patrice Bergeron could return. Backes missed the first five games of the season because of diverticulitis. Bergeron (lower body) who has yet to play this season, will be a game-time decision, according to coach Bruce Cassidy.
Anders Nilsson will start his second straight game for the Canucks, who continue a five-game road trip. Nilsson made 32 saves in a 3-0 shutout against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.

Players to watch

Canucks rookie forward Brock Boeser has four points (two goals two assists) in three games this season and has at least one point in each game.
Bruins forward Brad Marchand has a three-game point streak with five points (two goals, three assists) in that span.

They said it

"I mean it's obviously a huge bonus to get a start. But the most important thing was that we got the two points. But today that is history and we can just look forward and prepare for the game today." -- Canucks goaltender Anders Nilsson, who will make his second start of the season
"I need to get my butt moving and make sure that I'm keeping it simple, working hard and making plays when they're presented and not forcing things or trying to do too much because that could be problematic as well." -- Bruins forward David Backes on fitting in after missing the first five game of the season

Canucks projected lineup

Daniel Sedin -- Henrik Sedin -- Markus Granlund
Sam Gagner -- Bo Horvat -- Thomas Vanek
Sven Baertschi -- Alexander Burmistrov -- Brock Boeser
Derek Dorsett -- Brandon Sutter -- Jake Virtanen
Michael Del Zotto -- Erik Gudbranson
Derrick Pouliot -- Chris Tanev
Ben Hutton -- Troy Stecher
Anders Nilsson
Jacob Markstrom
Scratched:Alex Biega, Michael Chaput
Injured:Loui Eriksson (knee), Alexander Edler (knee)

Bruins projected lineup

Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Anders Bjork
Jake DeBrusk -- David Krejci -- David Pastrnak
Kenny Agostino -- Riley Nash -- Matt Beleskey
Tim Schaller -- Sean Kuraly -- David Backes
Zdeno Chara -- Brandon Carlo
Kevan Miller -- Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug -- Adam McQuaid
Anton Khudobin
Zane McIntyre
Scratched:Frank Vatrano, Paul Postma
Injured:Tuukka Rask (concussion); Ryan Spooner (groin)

Status report

The Canucks are using the same lineup from Tuesday. ... McQuaid returns after he sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of a 3-1 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday and did not return. ... Agostino makes his Bruins debut. ... Boston assigned forward Peter Cehlarik to Providence of the American Hockey League on Thursday after he was called up and practiced Wednesday, called up McIntyre from Providence to back up Khudobin and placed Spooner on injured reserve.

Stat pack

Vanek has 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) in 61 career games against Boston. ... Schaller will play his 100th NHL game. ... If Bergeron plays it will be his 900th NHL game.