The Bruins are shaking things up in a big way for Saturday afternoon’s Halloween matinee against the Blackhawks, with Marco Sturm making three lineup changes before puck drop in Boston.
Sean Kuraly is back in the mix for his first game since October 17 and only his second since October 3. It will be his fifth appearance of the season. Jonathan Aspirot is in the same spot, returning for his first game since October 17 and also his second since October 3, which will likewise be his fifth game of the year.
In net, Michael DiPietro gets the start, a move Sturm said is deserved after what he’s done this season.
That meant two regulars had to come out. Matthew Poitras and Connor Clifton are the odd men out, with Poitras’ removal standing out the most.
“We are very fortunate to be very healthy this year,” Sturm said. “We have everyone available.
I think these guys (Kuraly, Aspirot) were not playing for a while. They did a tremendous job [when they did play].
We need everyone on this team. And the last time they played in LA, they did a terrific job (a 4-1 Bruins win).
So it's more about that than anything else. Keep everyone on their toes, and they deserve to be in the lineup, too. We thought after our last game, they give us a little bit of life, too.”
Boston’s confirmed lineup has JJ Peterka, Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak on the top line, followed by Marat Khusnutdinov, Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie. Casey Mittelstadt centers Elias Lindholm and James Hagens, while Tanner Jeannot joins Kuraly and Mark Kastelic on the fourth line.
On defense, the pairs are Hampus Lindholm with Charlie McAvoy, Nikita Zadorov with Will Borgen, and Aspirot alongside Mason Lohrei. DiPietro is the starting goalie.
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