Need to Know: Bruins at Devils

NEWARK - The Bruins will look to build on their season-opening shootout victory when they head back to the Prudential Center for a second straight tilt against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon. It is the first of 26 two-game sets that the Black & Gold will play this season due to limited travel and a division-only schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's something that we're gonna have to get used to on the fly here…only playing seven teams eight times each," said Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. "We know they're a desperate team. They're coming off of a tough year last year and a long layoff, but I thought that they had good legs early and they were getting on us pretty good.
"I think we have to move our feet and have a little bit more mental focus in the second half of the game and we'll go from there."
Here's everything else you need to know for Saturday's 1 p.m. ET puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Smith Could Debut

After sitting out the opener with a lower-body injury, new Bruins winger Craig Smith returned to practice on Friday afternoon and could make his debut in the Spoked-B on Saturday. Smith skated alongside Nick Ritchie and Charlie Coyle - his linemates for the duration of training camp - during the session.
The Bruins have options on the wing depending on Smith's availability, which is why Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy opted to have Anders Bjork play the right side with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron for Friday's skate. Bjork, who had seen extended time as the fourth-line left wing in training camp, moved up to Smith's spot as third-line right wing for the opener.
Rookie Jack Studnicka, who had the top-line assignment in the win over the Devils, rotated in with Bjork at times during Friday's practice.
"Some of it depends on Craig Smith. He was skating today, so people get moved around," said Cassidy. "Obviously [Trent] Frederic, Bjork, Studnicka - if the rest stay in, you've got two spots for three guys. We wanted to make sure we put him in that position to get a few reps.
"With good options in there, it's never really a bad problem to have when you know you have anybody to put in there, they can contribute."

Bjork, who landed one shot on goal in 13:56 of ice time on Thursday night, has skated on a line with Bergeron and Marchand in the past and is looking forward to the opportunity he might have to ride with them once again.
"They're great at communicating, the times I've played with them, kind of telling me what to do, which is super helpful," said Bjork. "Kind of the mindset I've seen when I've played with them is to keep my feet moving and create stuff with my speed.
"I think, especially off the forecheck and reloading, just to create loose pucks and create opportunity for them to make plays and stuff. I think both of them play really fast, so me bringing my speed is the best way to complement them."
Cassidy said he spoke with Studnicka to reiterate that he should not "overthink things" or "get down on himself" if he isn't in the lineup every night and that he should embrace the competition.
"I told him we've got two guys for three spots, so to speak," said Cassidy. "That can change, obviously. Guys are a little more solidified. You've got him and Freddy and Bjork that have moved around a bit last week in the scrimmages…we're gonna use them accordingly. From there, not to read too much into it.
"Obviously if you're lights out, you usually stay in the lineup. That's hard to be for a young guy…we just ask for 100 percent every time your number is called. If you're not in, then work hard to get back in…it's part of being a pro."

Halak Gets the Call

Following Tuukka Rask's stellar 20-save performance on Opening Night, Jaroslav Halak will make his 2020-21 season debut on Saturday afternoon. Rask is expected to start the road trip finale on Monday against the Islanders.
"Jaro will go [on Saturday….we were debating whether it would be Monday…we talked about it, let's get him in now," said Cassidy. "It was gonna be up to Jaro whether it was gonna be [Saturday] or Monday depending on how he felt with his workload. He feels good so he'll get in the net [Saturday]."

Grizz Gets His Rest

Grzelcyk said he was feeling rested and rejuvenated on Friday even after his workhorse showing in the opener. The blue liner played 24:07, second on the Bruins to Charlie McAvoy's 25:33, and led the team with 5:51 on the power play.
"Good sleep last night, felt good. They've got some dark blinds at the hotel. Nice little sleep in today and late practice," Grzelcyk joked. "Feeling rejuvenated and will be ready to go for [Saturday]…I think as a player we're all competitive, we all want to be on the ice as much as we can.
"I think it's just my job to go out there and make sure that I'm in the best shape possible and managing my energy and making sure that when it's time to make a play that I'm able to do that.
"As players, we welcome those opportunities. It was nice to be out there as much as I was [Thursday] night."

Friday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Anders Bjork/Jack Studnicka
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Ondrej Kase
Nick Ritchie - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Trent Frederic - Sean Kuraly - Chris Wagner
Greg McKegg/Par Lindholm
DEFENSEMEN
Jeremy Lauzon - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Jakub Zboril - Kevan Miller
John Moore/Urho Vaakanainen - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak
Daniel Vladar