Need to Know: Bruins at Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Bruins close out a mammoth six-game road trip on Saturday night with a sixth and final stop at Nationwide Arena for a tilt with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Black & Gold have gone 4-1-0 so far on the season-long, 12-day journey that concludes against a team chasing them - Columbus is 12 points back of the B's in the East's Wild Card race - for a playoff spot.
"We had a travel day [Friday] so they were away from the rink, so usually when that happens you're excited to get back," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "We've had good games against Columbus over the years, some old friends in the building, Rick Nash, [Sean] Kuraly, so I'm sure that will get the guys going as well to see some old teammates."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the road trip finale on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Happy Returns

Nick Foligno lived in Columbus for nearly a decade, but when he landed in town on Friday evening, he felt like he was in a place he had never been before.
"You get on this bus, then you get to a hotel I've never stayed at - drove by it 100 times but never stayed at it," said Foligno. "Just felt really funny."
But as the night went on and he met up with old friends, the memories from nine seasons as a Blue Jacket began flowing back.
"I have so many great memories of my time here, just the people that I got to work with, so much respect for the organization from the top down with the McConnell family and so on through, [general manager] Jarmo [Kekalainen] and [president John Davidson]," said Foligno, who served as the club's captain from 2016-21.
"It's really nice to come back and just celebrate that with them. I think the way it ended, in a way, was kind of quick with getting traded out of here. So, it's nice to come back to say thank you to everybody again. I'm enjoying it. My head's spinning a little bit, obviously, but it's just great to see everybody."
Foligno is making his first visit to Nationwide Arena since he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs at last season's trade deadline. The 34-year-old ranks third all-time in Columbus history in games played (599), assists (192), and points (334), while ranking fourth in goals (142).
"I think we did it together," Foligno said of the culture created during his time with Columbus, which included five trips to the postseason. "That was what I enjoyed the most was we had that culture in that room, a lot like what goes on in here [with Boston] with the guys that we went to work with every day and tried to get better and push and get this organization to a place where it was respected and was hard to come in and play the Columbus Blue Jackets. I'm really proud of that.
"You never think about it at the time but if that's what they're saying then we obviously did our job. I look forward to seeing how they're gonna carry it on…a sign of good leadership is did you prepare the next wave to do their job as well.
"And I think you're seeing that with the way [captain Boone Jenner's] led and Zach Werenski's I'm sure stepped up and a few more guys… did you leave it better than when you found it? And hopefully we did that."

A Familiar Foe

After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Bruins, Sean Kuraly will square off against his former club for the first time. Kuraly played 270 career games in the Spoked-B, including another 57 in the postseason, becoming the anchor of Boston's fourth line through a number of lengthy playoff runs from 2017-21.
"We got to play deep in the playoffs for a few years in a row. I got to learn from some future Hall of Famers, got to be in the same locker room as some pretty great players and great people and great leaders," said Kuraly. "A lot of great teammates and friends that I made over the years. Just got to learn. I think the biggest thing is I got to learn a lot about being in the NHL and really, really thankful for that."
The Dublin, Ohio, native has put together a solid first season with his hometown club, so far tying a career high in goals (eight) through 55 games. He is also three points shy of matching his career high of 23 points set back in 2019-20. Kuraly notched two assists on Friday night in the Blue Jackets' 4-3 overtime loss to the Kings.
"Sean was a good player for us. It's tough to lose a guy like that. Even though he was a San Jose pick, we felt that he was a homegrown Bruin in our eyes, did some time in Providence. His offensive game got better," said Cassidy.
"Might have a little bit more of an opportunity here [in Columbus] than he would have with us, we're deeper in the middle, which is what he wanted. I'm happy for him in that regard, and he's back home. We miss him. But he's a great kid, a really good teammate, guys loved him."

To the Rafters

Before Saturday night's game, Columbus legend Rick Nash - who spent the final 23 games of his career (both regular season and playoffs) with the Bruins - will have his No. 61 hoisted to the rafters at Nationwide Arena, becoming the first Blue Jackets player to earn that honor. Nash spent the first nine seasons of his career in Columbus, including five as the team's captain. He ranks first all-time among Blue Jackets in games played (674), goals (289), assists (258), and points (547).
"First and foremost, I'm just thrilled for Rick. What a great honor. So deserving. Just thrilled for his family," said Foligno, who succeeded Nash as Columbus' captain. "He's a guy that's meant so much to this organization and this community. To be able to be in the building on a night like this is pretty special. I'm so happy for him."

Wait, There's More

Saturday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Jake DeBrusk
Taylor Hall - Erik Haula - David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Nick Foligno - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Reilly - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark