Final: Bruins 5, Blue Jackets 2 - Haula lifts Boston past Columbus

The Bruins will be back in action on Saturday with a matchup against the Blue Jackets at TD Garden. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. Follow along for updates from Saturday’s game.

WHO: Bruins (42-20-5) vs. Blue Jackets (32-31-5)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden
TV:  NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE: NHL.com
Odds: The Bruins are -425 favorites at Betway in tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets.

PROJECTED LINEUP

BOSTON

Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Jake DeBrusk
Taylor Hall -- Erik Haula -- David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic -- Charlie Coyle -- Craig Smith
Nick Foligno -- Tomas Nosek -- Curtis Lazar

Hampus Lindholm -- Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk -- Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort -- Mike Reilly

Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark

Scratched: Connor Clifton, Marc McLaughlin, Anton Blidh, Jack Studnicka, Josh Brown

COLUMBUS

Gustav Nyquist -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine
Jakub Voracek -- Cole Sillinger -- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Justin Danforth
Emil Bemstrom -- Brendan Gaunce -- Yegor Chinakhov

Vladislav Gavrikov -- Andrew Peeke
Adam Boqvist -- Jake Bean
Dean Kukan -- Gavin Bayreuther

Elvis Merzlikins
J-F Berube

Scratched: Gabriel Carlsson
Injured: Alexandre Texier (hand), Boone Jenner (back), Zach Werenski (upper-body), Joonas Korpisalo (hip)

PREGAME NOTES

The Boston Bruins will look to close out a five-game homestand with their second straight win when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit on Saturday night.

After missing Thursday’s beatdown against the Devils, both Craig Smith and Nick Foligno will return to the B’s lineup — replacing Marc McLaughlin and Anton Blidh, respectively.

Derek Forbort will return on defense, with Mike Reilly skating on the right side of that third D pair with him. Josh Brown will not play, but the defenseman was back on the ice for Saturday’s morning skate after exiting Thursday’s game early with an upper-body injury. 

Jeremy Swayman is expected to get the start in net. 

The Blue Jackets (32-31-5, 69 points) are winless in five straight after being swept by the New York Islanders in a home-and-home set.

The Bruins will hold a pregame ceremony for Nick Foligno after the veteran forward surpassed 1,000 career games earlier this season. 

LIVE UPDATES