Bruins Gameday: McQuaid and Krejci remain sidelined; Rask starts

The Boston Bruins (19-10-5, 45 points) return from their three-day Christmas break and will host the Ottawa Senators (11-15-8, 30 points) tonight at TD Garden. Prior to the break, the Bruins played seven games in 11 days and posted a 7-1-1 record in their last nine games, including its current four-game winning streak.

The break actually came at a good time because some of the players had been ill and others were dealing with injuries.

"When you're playing well you always want to keep at it, so I don't think it was that long (of a break)," said Bruce Cassidy. "We have three games in four days, so we'll get right back in the swing of it. Everyone enjoys a little time off for the holidays, but now it's time to get back at it."



Injury updates: Defenseman Adam McQuaid has been cleared to play but he won't be in the lineup against the Senators.

"Adam's healthy," admitted Cassidy. "We're just deciding tonight to go with the lineup we've had."

He's missed 28 games after breaking his right fibula on Oct. 19. Forward David Krejci, who has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, will not play tonight. He participated in the morning skate but was wearing a red, no-contact sweater. Both McQuaid and Krejci will travel with the team on its next road trip, beginning Thursday in Washington.

Forward Peter Cehlarik remains on injured reserve with a lower-body injury he suffered on Nov. 24, but he's been cleared to practice with the team. He's missed 13 games. He participated in the team's morning skate Wednesday.

"He's progressing well. He's on schedule," Cassidy said.

Cehlarik still has to participate in a full-contact practice before a decision is made.

"It's been a tough year for him, unfortunately, with his injuries but he's working hard at it," Cassidy said. "Hopefully he gets back up to speed."

Masked men: Fresh off being named the NHL's first star of the week, Tuukka Rask will start against the Senators. He's earned points in his last nine starts with an 8-0-1 record. He has a 1.45 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage in his last 11 games. Since the Bruins are playing back-to-back games, Anton Khudobin will start against the Capitals on Thursday in D.C.

Here are the projected line combinations and defensive pairings vs. Senators

Forwards

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Spooner-Bjork
Heinen-Nash-Backes
Schaller-Kuraly-Acciari

Defense

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller

Goalies

Rask

Khudobin