Need to Know: Bruins at Jets

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - The Bruins will close out their four-game road trip on Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets, one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Winnipeg, which sits second in the Central Division with 102 points, joins the Bruins, Lightning, Predators, and Golden Knights as the only teams to clinch playoff berths to this point in the season. The Jets are paced by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is eighth in the NHL in goals against average (2.36) and save percentage (.924). His 39 wins and six shutouts both rank third.

Up front, the Jets are led by captain and former Bruin Blake Wheeler, who is ninth in the NHL in points (85) this season, as well as youngsters Patrick Laine (43 goals) and Kyle Connor (29).
"They're easily one of the best teams in the league. They're very hard to play against. Our one game earlier in the year against them was a very hard-fought battle," Brad Marchand said of the Bruins' 2-1 shootout victory in Boston.
"They complete all night long, fast, very skilled. They're a real Cup contender, we know that. It's gonna be a good game."

With a victory, Boston could move into first place in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit 2 points back of Tampa Bay for the top spot, and with two games in hand entering tonight would leapfrog the Lightning.
"Maybe a little bit," David Krejci said when asked if catching Tampa has entered the team's mind. "We've got to get our injured guys back healthy again, but at the same time find a way to keep winning games and get ready for playoffs."

Wing-els Switch

After one game of riding alongside Danton Heinen and Riley Nash on the third line, Tommy Wingels will get a chance to play with David Krejci and Ryan Donato against the Jets. Wingels, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline, has a goal and two assists in 12 games with Boston. Brian Gionta will switch places with Wingels and skate with Heinen and Nash.
"That's a work in progress," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of his second line. "[Krejci's] regular lines mates, or what were his regular linemates [in Jake DeBrusk and Rick Nash], are out obviously, so we're trying different things and trying to keep Heinen and Nash together.
"This is just tinkering more than anything, more than a reflection on any individual. We're kind of afforded that luxury right now. Tommy's had some good games and finished some plays. We'll see how he does out there, just a heavier body."

Backes Skates

David Backes, who earlier in the morning was named Boston's nominee for the Masterton Trophy, skated for the first time since suffering a right leg laceration on March 17 in Tampa Bay. Backes took the ice following pregame skate in sweats rather than his normal equipment.

Tuesday's Projected Lineup

Anton Khudobin will get the start in goal for the Bruins against the Jets:
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Ryan Donato - David Krejci - Tommy Wingels
Danton Heinen - Riley Nash - Brian Gionta
Tim Schaller - Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Kevan Miller
Nick Holden - Adam McQuaid
Anton Khudobin
Tuukka Rask