Boston Bruins Gameday Notes: Marchand Returns from Suspension

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Brad Marchand
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Brad Marchand

After topping the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday, the Boston Bruins turn their attention to the New York Rangers for the second half of their back-to-back set. Leading scorer Brad Marchand will make his return from suspension Wednesday night in New York.

“I think when our team is playing that well anyone can jump in and fit in. Our team is very good at picking each other up when you’re not feeling great or if you’re a little banged up or a little sick or whatever it is. We just have so much depth right now that you’re able to slide back into the lineup very easily. Hopefully that’s the case again.”

Those are some of the words uttered by Bruins forward Brad Marchand Wednesday morning at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Marchand will make his return to the lineup against the Rangers after a five game absence due to being suspended for an elbow to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Marcus Johansson back on January 23rd.

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Marchand, 29, leads the Bruins in points (50), assists (29) and is tied for second on the team in goals (21) with David Pastrnak. He had posted nine points (3-6-9) in last four games leading up to his suspension, so he will have the usual target on his back whenever he steps on the ice tonight.

First 3 Lines Back to Normal

With Marchand’s return, rookie Danton Heinen who had been skating in his place next to Patrice Bergeron and Pastrnak, will return to his normal spot on the team’s third line with Riley Nash and David Backes.

DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 06: Danton Heinen
DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 06: Danton Heinen /

Heinen has quietly been on a tear as of late, on top of scoring the game winner against the Red Wings Tuesday, the 22 year old has tallied 20 points (6-14–20) over the last 22 games. Heinen’s recent stretch has vaulted him up to fourth among the league’s rookie scoring leaders with his season total of 37 (12-25-37).

Game Day Notes

Kevan Miller (Upper Body) and Noel Acciari (Lower Body) remain out for Wednesday night’s contest.

Frank Vatrano (Lower Body) has been ruled out for tonight’s game as well, he suffered an injury against the Red Wings Tuesday which caused him to leave the game and not return.

Next: Boston Bruins Bromance: Bergeron and Marchand

From the NHL Public Relations Office: Tuukka Rask owns an 8-0-0 mark in his last eight appearances and is the first Bruins goaltender to post a win streak of at least eight games since Tim Thomas in 2011-12 (10-0-0 from Nov. 1 – Dec. 5).

Anton Khudobin will get the start tonight.

Projected Lines:

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – David Krejci – Ryan Spooner
Danton Heinen – Riley Nash – David Backes
Tim Schaller – Sean Kuraly – Austin Czarnik

Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug – Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk – Adam McQuaid

Anton Khudobin