Bruins Look to Overcome Growing List of Injuries As Boston Takes on East-Leading Rangers in New York

by

Mar 4, 2012

The Bruins will take on the East-leading Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, but Boston will do it with far less than a complete lineup.

In addition to forwards Nathan Horton (concussion) and Rich Peverley (knee), the Bruins are also now without defenseman Andrew Ference (lower body), forward Daniel Paille (upper body) and goalie Tuukka Rask (lower body). Paille and Rask were injured Saturday in Boston's 3-2 loss to the Islanders.

Michael Hutchinson was recalled from Providence to back up Tim Thomas and Lane MacDermid was called up to replace Paille. MacDermid will skate on the fourth line with Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton, keeping the rest of the lines intact after the recent changes putting Tyler Seguin up with Milan Lucic and David Krejci.

The Rangers will be without captain Ryan Callahan (foot), while defenseman Michael Del Zotto is a game-time decision with a hip injury.

Henrik Lundqvist is expected to be in goal in a netminding matchup pitting the rreigning Vezina winner Thomas against the heavy favorite to take home that award this season in Luindqvist.

Kelly Sutherland and Greg Kimmerly will be the referees, with Derek Nansen and Jonny Murray working the lines.

Projected Bruins lines

Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Tyler Seguin
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Brian Rolston
Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Jordan Caron
Lane MacDermid-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Greg Zanon-Adam McQuaid

Goalies
Tim Thomas
Michael Hutchinson

Scratches: Nathan Horton (concussion), Rich Peverley (knee), Daniel Paille (upper body), Andrew Ference (lower body), Tuukka Rask (lower body), Mike Mottau

Projected Rangers lines

Forwards
Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Ruslan Fedotenko
John Mitchell-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-Brandon Dubinsky-John Scott

Defense
Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi
Marc Staal, Anton Stralman
Jeff Woywitka, Stu Bickel

Goalies
Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Scratches: Ryan Callahan (foot), Michael Del Zotto (hip)

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