Need to Know: Bruins at Devils

NEWARK - The Bruins can clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night as they open up a two-game set with the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Boston needs at least one point or a loss by the New York Rangers in any fashion to secure their place in the postseason.
"We haven't discussed it. I think everyone's aware of where we're at," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, who will start Tuukka Rask between the pipes. "If need be, we will. But at the end of the day, we'll get our game in order, keep building our chemistry amongst the group, build our game as a team, get guys ready.
"Obviously, you've got to get in first. We're still mixing a few guys in the bottom part of the lineup, seems like the top part's been solidified here for a while. Find what works best and just keep playing good hockey and the rest will take care of itself."

For the Bruins, clinching a playoff spot is just the first step of what they view as a much larger goal.
"It's something we've been working hard towards all season long," said Brad Marchand. "But that's the expectation of this team. As nice as it is, that's what was expected, to make the playoffs and have a run. Hopefully we can accomplish that tonight. It's a big game for us and we want to continue to climb. That's our goal, not just to make it but finish as high as we can.
"We want to be playing really good hockey going into playoffs. For our group, we just have to continue to build, continue to improve and get prepared."
Here's everything else you need to know ahead of the 7 p.m. puck drop on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

Reilly Sidelined

Mike Reilly is dealing with a nagging injury and will be given a maintenance day, which will keep him out of the lineup on Monday. Cassidy expects the blue liner to be back in on Tuesday.
Jakub Zboril will sub into the lineup. Kevan Miller will play the front end of the back-to-back, while Brandon Carlo is expected to make his return on Tuesday night.

Marchand's 800th Game

Marchand will suit up for his 800th career game on Monday night, becoming the 13th Bruin in history to reach that mark in Black & Gold.
"I actually didn't know," Marchand said, noting that he was informed by B's assistant equipment manager Matty Falconer ahead of the morning skate. "It's a great milestone. I think the biggest thing is as you get older, it's all about how you take care of yourself.
"You kind of learn that at a younger age. I've had great leaders the whole time that I've been able to watch and learn from…another game, but hopefully many more."
Marchand leads the Bruins in scoring with 27 goals and 61 points in 48 games, putting him in the conversation to be a Hart Trophy contender. The winger, now in his 12th NHL season, has never finished higher than fifth in the voting.
"As you get older, the longer you get around, the game slows down for you," said Marchand, who is in search of his fifth 30-plus goal season. "You learn where the space is, how to put yourself in positions to give yourself more time. The biggest thing is, you come in, you're just trying to skate around a million miles an hour, just trying to earn your spot.
"As you learn the game a lot more, and positionally where you should be, systematically where you should be, the game gets easier as you get older, as long as you're able to keep up with the pace.
"It's been a fun ride, there's no question about that. It's an incredible journey and we're so fortunate to play this game. Your career could end any day so any day that we get truly is a gift. Try to make the most of it and enjoy every day."

By The Numbers

• David Pastrnak is one goal short of his 200th NHL goal.
• Charlie McAvoy is four assists short of his 100th NHL assist.
• The Bruins visit the Devils tonight in the seventh of eight games between these teams this season and the third of four games at Prudential Center.
• The Bruins are 2-3-1 vs. the Devils in this season's series with all six games decided by a one-goal margin: a 3-2 shootout win in New Jersey in the season opener on Jan. 14; a 2-1 OT loss on Jan. 16 in NJ; a 3-2 setback on Feb. 18 in Boston; and 1-0 losses in Boston on March 7 and March 28. The Bruins took the last game by a 5-4 shootout score in Boston on March 30.

Monday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - David Krejci - Craig Smith
Nick Ritchie - Sean Kuraly - Charlie Coyle
Jake DeBrusk - Curtis Lazar - Karson Kuhlman
DEFENSEMEN
Jeremy Lauzon - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller
Jakub Zboril - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask
Jaroslav Halak