The Bruins, who have won three straight following a three-game losing streak, won 2-1 in overtime against the Penguins at TD Garden on Nov. 23. Forward David Backes is expected to play for Boston after taking a skate to his face Tuesday. Pittsburgh is 3-1-1 in its past five games and has allowed two goals or fewer in three of its past four games. Goalie Casey DeSmith will start with Matt Murray backing up for a second straight game. Murray, who missed nine games with a lower-body injury before backing up in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, has not started since Nov. 17.
Players to watch
Bruins forward Brad Marchand had three points (two goals, one assist) in a 4-3 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday and has eight points (three goals, five assists) in a three-game multipoint streak. Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been held without a point in three straight games after having 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in his previous 11 games.
They said it
"They're world-class skaters. They want the puck. ... You see it night in and night out." -- Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy on Penguins centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin "We're trying to put [goalie Matt Murray] in the best possible position to be successful. ... We're playing back to back, so [Murray and Casey DeSmith] are both going to get games." -- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan
DeBrusk is in concussion protocol. Cassidy did not provide an update Friday. ... Pearson is expected to play left wing with Crosby and Guentzel. He had been left wing on the second line with Malkin since being acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 14.
Stat pack
The Bruins have scored two goals or fewer in 10 of their past 13 games. ... Pastrnak has eight points (two goals, six assists) in a four-game point streak. … Kessel will pass Nick Harbaruk for the fourth most consecutive games played in Penguins history (277). … Guentzel has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his past nine games.
