But after needing a shootout to get past Western Conference cellar-dweller Columbus on Thursday, the Bruins shouldn't get caught looking past Saturday's matchup with the Islanders in New York.
"I think it's pretty obvious after last game that there's no reason to overlook teams like that," Bruins coach Claude Julien told reporters after his club's morning skate at Nassau Coliseum. "They're coming off a win. They're feeling good about themselves right now. I don't see any reason for us to take these games lightly, and I think our team has matured enough to know better."
The Islanders (5-8-3, 13 points) did beat Montreal 4-3 on Thursday, snapping a four-game skid that began with a 6-2 loss to the Bruins at the Garden on Nov. 7, but remain in last place in the East. The Bruins (10-7-0, 20 points), meanwhile, have won seven straight and open a three-game road trip Saturday after capping a 5-0-0 homestand with Thursday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets.
Defenseman Johnny Boychuk missed that game with flu-like symptoms, but participated in Saturday's morning skate. Julien termed him a game-time decision, but Boychuk is expected to play, which would make Steven Kampfer the scratch on defense.
Julien also said he would "probably" stick with the same forward group as Thursday, which would leave Jordan Caron in the press box. Kampfer, Caron and goalie Tuukka Rask stayed on the ice for some extra work after the morning skate. Rask started Thursday's game, but Tim Thomas is expected to get the call for this one. Thomas is 7-4-0 with a 2.09 GAA and a .927 save percentage this season, and is 9-5-1 with a 2.07 GAA and a .939 save percentage in his career against the Isles.
The Islanders will counter with Winthrop, Mass., native and former Boston University star Rick DiPietro. The oft-injured DiPietro is surprisingly the last man standing from New York's three-headed goaltending monster, with Al Montoya (hamstring) and Evgeni Nabokov (groin) both sidelined. Anders Nilsson was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) to serve as DiPietro's backup. DiPietro is 2-1-2 with a 2.85 GAA and a .900 save percentage this year, and has played well against the Bruins in the past (6-7-2-1, 2.33 GAA, .924 save percentage).
The Islanders are expected to insert Mark Eaton back into the lineup on defense, with Mike Mottau (Avon, Mass.) sitting out. New York isn't expected to make any changes up front, which means talented but struggling young forward Kyle Okposo will be a healthy scratch for the third straight game. Okposo, the seventh overall pick in 2006, has just 0-3-3 totals and in a minus-7 in 14 games this year.
Dennis LaRue and Francois St-Laurent will be the referees, with Derek Amell and Pierre Champoux working the lines.
Projected Bruins lines
Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Goalies
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
Scratches: Jordan Caron, Steven Kampfer
Projected Islanders lines
Forwards
Matt Moulson-John Tavares-Michael Grabner
Nino Niederreiter-Frans Nielsen-P.A. Parenteau
Blake Comeau-Marty Reasoner-Brian Rolston
Matt Martin-Josh Bailey-Jay Pandolfo
Defense
Steve Staios-Mark Streit
Andrew MacDonald-Travis Hamonic
Mark Eaton-Milan Jurcina
Goalies
Rick DiPietro
Anders Nilsson
Scratches: Kyle Okposo, Mike Mottau, Evgeni Nabokov (groin), Al Montoya (hamstring)
