Illnesses Leave Bruins Lineup in Question

BOSTON - The early-winter flu bug has not spared the Boston Bruins.
Brad Marchand, Ryan Spooner, and Riley Nash were all under the weather Thursday morning and missed the pregame skate at TD Garden. Following the session, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said all three would be game-time decisions for this evening's tilt with Winnipeg.

"We're questioning whether they didn't get their Christmas shopping done - no, there's something going around. It happens," David Backes quipped after the skate at TD Garden. "Hopefully they're all in the lineup tonight and we're at full strength. If not, different guys will have to step up and fill bigger roles. We've been through that before and learned that lesson."
Cassidy will need to determine the best course of action should one or all three players miss the game. Boston's bench boss said the team might have to recall a player from Providence this afternoon or go with seven defensemen, something it has done twice this season.
"Certainly a possibility," Cassidy said of dressing seven defensemen. "Right now, there's a little uncertainty because of those guys. I can't sit here and say they're absolutely in or absolutely out. We'll have to manipulate the lineup - it may involve a recall. It's all stuff we're going to work through this afternoon."
Boston also remains without David Krejci up front as the center will miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury.
"We'll see how it is tomorrow…I don't want to get too much into it," said Cassidy. "I think we've been pretty up front about most of our guys - it's upper-body right now. He's trying every day to get better with it and we'll see where he's at. Right now he's out. We miss him."

McQuaid Inching Along

On the back end, Adam McQuaid continues to inch closer to his return. The blue liner participated in Thursday's morning skate, but will not play against the Jets. Cassidy has continued to preach the need for McQuaid to get a couple of full practices under his belt, which has been difficult with Boston's heavy schedule of late.
"Again, we're balancing practice time, prep, with the whole group vs. how the lineup is going again," said Cassidy. "I think the extra days can help Adam. That's where we're at right now. So Saturday [afternoon against Detroit] he could potentially be in."

Opposing View

The Winnipeg Jets come to town tonight for their one and only visit to TD Garden this season. Winners of two straight, the Jets sit in third place in the Central Division with 45 points, just one point back of Nashville and St. Louis.
The Jets feature a high-octane offense, which ranks fourth in the league (3.34 goals per game), while their power play is good for third (25.2%).
Former Bruin and Winnipeg captain Blake Wheeler paces the Jets with 41 points (9 goals, 32 assists), which places him sixth in the league in scoring.
"We know that they're dangerous offensively, high-end power play," said Cassidy. "We've got to keep their top two lines in check. We've had some teams come through here - Tampa, the Islanders, Pittsburgh - that have that ability. We've done a good job limiting the chances, so that will be our game plan.
"It's a good hockey club, no real weaknesses. We like to think we're becoming that team as well. Should be a good matchup."