Need to Know: Bruins vs Golden Knights

BOSTON - For the second consecutive game, the Bruins put a five-spot on the Home section of the scoreboard at TD Garden. However, unlike Thursday against Vancouver, the Black and Gold's defensive efforts helped ensure a victory over their Atlantic Division rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
"The defending obviously Thursday was not where it needed to be," said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. "Early in the game [Saturday], less about defending and more about our execution early on. Getting out of our end, we were trapped in there a few times and they threw everything at the net. Some of that is rebound control, some of it is clearing pucks, blocking shots, putting out fires. We eventually did, got it going."

Against the Leafs, the Bruins were powered by the dynamic top line, but the rest of lineup also had a strong showing.
"It looks like the scoring is starting to come around. A little more balance," said Cassidy. "Once we got going, I liked everyone. Obviously Bergy's [Patrice Bergeron] line produced. I thought Krech's [David Krejci] line had some good chances as well, Nordy [Joakim Nordstrom] ended up getting one. Young kids, Bjorkie [Anders Bjork] was in a couple times. JFK [Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson] made a hell of a play to DeBrusk. They had their looks and defended well. Kuraly's line did a good job I thought, stayed out of trouble. Got some hits, got some pucks behind their D.
"It was a good night all around. I think the structure of the lines is closer to what we anticipated at the start of the year in terms of make-up"

Back To Business

The B's and Golden Knights will both be playing in the second night of a back-to-back, and getting out to an early lead will be a big focus for both squads.
"Two teams playing back to backs with busy weeks, tonight I think it's also important to do your best to get out to a lead without being reckless," said Cassidy. "That matters in these types of games and it's just tougher to play from behind when you're tired."
The Bruins are an impressive 6-2 at home, where they are outscoring opponents 33-19.
"I think that anytime we have home back-to-back, both games at home, we need to take advantage of it," said forward Jake DeBrusk. "Obviously, this early in the season teams want to get on a roll and so do we. It always starts with one and obviously every game is different and different things happen, but it should be good game tonight."
The B's will look to claim another victory in advance of a big four-game road trip.
"I think that gives us confidence going into the road trip and I think we want to be a good home team as well," said forward Anders Bjork. "I think we let a couple games go this year that would could have had back so I think we know we are a better team than that. It's good that we got that win last night and hopefully we can continue it."

JFK Back In

After appearing in his first NHL contest of the season against the Maple Leafs, forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson will be back in against the Golden Knights.
"I think I grew into the game," said Forsbacka Karlsson of his performance against Toronto. "I think I got my legs moving a little bit and I felt better as the game went on. That's what I have to keep doing. I have to keep moving my feet and keep working to win pucks back."
The 22-year-old center filled in on the third line and saw 11:19 minutes of action, and nearly recorded an assist when he set up Jake DeBrusk in the second period.
"Once you play with the puck more, you're able to make plays," said Forsbacka Karlsson. "Jake got in a really good spot there and it was nice for me to find him there. I think he came straight from the bench and he found a really good area for me to put the puck to him."

Tuukka Tuesday?

Cassidy gave a brief update on goaltender Tuukka Rask, who could make his return to the team for practice on Tuesday. Rask had previously left the team for personal reasons.
"Tuesday we have practice," said Cassidy. "I suspect Tuukka will join us then, but that's something we'll discuss with him tomorrow. Again, today the focus for us is on Vegas and then we'll look at what our lineup looks like for when we leave Tuesday, tomorrow."

Injury Updates

Cassidy provided a number of injury updates on Sunday morning, leading with Brandon Carlo.
"Carlo has an upper-body, so he's questionable, probably won't play," said Cassidy. "He got hit the latter part of the game. He played through most of it. Came in this morning not doing great."
Kevan Miller, who suffered a hand injury against the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 18, could make his return at the end of the Bruins upcoming road trip.
"He is skating on his own, now with his stick," said Cassidy. "That's the next part of it. I think four weeks will be this Thursday…If he can practice with a stick in his hand fully, then it's quite possible he'll be with us [on the road trip]. Now because we're staying out west before, we go to Detroit, he may join us mid trip as well. He is potentially available I would say closer to the end of the trip. I don't think he'll play next week. We can update you on that as the week goes. Detroit could be a possibility. And then it's home Pittsburgh, and then Toronto, Montreal again. I would suspect somewhere in that window, those four games he'd be available."
Urho Vaakanainen and Charlie McAvoy each skated on Sunday, and continue to progress from their recovery from their respective concussions.
"They're both skating as well," said Cassidy. "Good news on that front. Protocol will dictate when they get back into live practices. Tuesday would be great for both of them because we don't' have a lot after that. We're heading out…Be good to get them back in the mix when they're ready. They are possibilities as well. We've been talking about some of those guys for a while."