Projected Lines, Defensive Pairings For Bruins-Lightning Matchup

The Bruins enter Thursday on a five-game losing streak, but they’ll hope a personal boost can help them break their skid.

Boston’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning marks the first game of the “Moms Trip.” Multiple players’ mothers traveled with the team to Florida, and interim head coach Joe Sacco admitted pregame that there was an added energy that he hopes translates on the ice.

Thursday’s matchup also will mark the first time Morgan Geekie faces off against his brother Conor Geekie. Their family will be in attendance to watch the memorable encounter between the brothers.

The Black and Gold will enter with the same lineup except for one change on the blue line. Nikita Zadorov will pair with Charlie McAvoy and switch places with Parker Wotherspoon, who will pair with Brandon Carlo. Jeremy Swayman is expected to start in net.

Puck drop for the Boston-Tampa Bay matchup at Amalie Arena is scheduled at 7 p.m. ET, and you can catch full coverage on NESN after an hour of pregame.

Here are the projected lines and defensive pairings for the Bruins and Lightning.

BOSTON BRUINS (20-18-5)
Morgan Geekie — Pavel Zacha — David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand — Elias Lindholm — Charlie Coyle
Oliver Wahlstrom — Trent Frederic — Justin Brazeau
John Beecher — Mark Kastelic — Cole Koepke

Nikita Zadorov — Charlie McAvoy
Parker Wotherspoon — Brandon Carlo
Mason Lohrei — Andrew Peeke

Jeremy Swayman

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (21-15-2)
Jake Guentzel — Brayden Point — Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel — Anthony Cirelli — Conor Geekie
Mitchell Chaffee — Nick Paul — Michael Eyssimont
Gage Goncalves — Luke Glendening — Zemgus Girgensons

Victor Hedman — Darren Raddysh
Ryan McDonagh — Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg — Nick Perbix

Andrei Vasilevskiy