Preview: Bruins ready for matinee clash against Kings

Just the facts

When: Today, 1 p.m

Where: TD Garden – Boston, Mass.

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Center

Game notes

• The Boston Bruins welcome the Los Angeles Kings to a matinee at TD Garden this afternoon! It will be a while before the B's see them again until they head west in March.
• Despite Thursday's win, the B's will continue to look to clean up at the net and strengthen their defensive game.
• The Kings opened their season with a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday, with Anze Kopitar scoring a natural hat trick in the third period. To kick things off, they're on a seven-game road trip.
• During yesterday's training there were only minor adjustments to the lines and defensive pairings. As Matt Poitras neared his return, he placed Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau at center, leaving Riley Tufte as the backup.
• Jim Montgomery said Poitras was a possibility this afternoon but wouldn't completely dominate him in the lineup. Poitras has not played in a regular season game since January 25th. He last played in the preseason on October 1st, but has been out since then due to injury.
• In defense, Mason Lohrei and Andrew Peeke completed the final pair. Lohrei swapped places with Parker Wotherspoon, who partnered with Peeke during Thursday's game.
• Of course it's still a very young season, but out of ten goals, the Pavel Zacha – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak line has four. Together they have nine points. Montgomery said after the last game that he's starting to see the impact E. Lindholm can have on the line by winning puck battles and creating space.
• I can't imagine there will be a dedicated goalie rotation this year and can imagine Jeremy Swayman starting this afternoon.
• See you soon!