The Boston Bruins (27-19-2) are squaring up for another Original Six contest. The team just completed a five-game homestand on Thursday, and retired Zdeno Chara’s number ahead of the game. 

Boston will be looking to extend its five-game win streak in Illinois tonight, and will do so against a flurry of former Bruins. 

The Bruins are at the United Center tonight, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks (19-21-7), who have lost their last three contests on home ice. Connor Bedard (19-27–46) returned to the lineup for Chicago last week. He has two assists in the three games he has played since returning from his injury. 

Bruins Morning Skate Notes

The Bruins held a morning skate at 12:30 PM ET at the United Center in Chicago, IL. 

Hanson native Billy Sweezey earned his first call-up to Boston, the team announced the move on Friday. 

Andrew Peeke skated with the team at morning skate, per Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe. He left Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury. Marco Sturm said he will be a game-time decision. 

Hampus Lindholm also declared himself a game-time decision after the morning skate, and Marco Sturm said he is “getting close.”

Marco Sturm announced that Joonas Korpisalo will be in goal and that the lineup will not change.

Expected Bruins Lines
Forwards

Marat Khusnutdinov – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak

Casey Mittelstadt – Pavel Zacha – Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Steeves – Fraser Minten – Morgan Geekie

Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic

Defensemen

Jonathan Aspirot – Charlie McAvoy

Nikita Zadorov – Henri Jokiharju

Mason Lohrei – Andrew Peeke

Source: Marco Sturm

Starting Goalie

Joonas Korpisalo (8-8-0, 3.20 GAA, .894 SV%)

Source: Marco Sturm

Expected Blackhawks Lines
Forwards

Ryan Greene – Connor Bedard – Andre Burakovsky

Tyler Bertuzzi – Jason Dickinson – Ilya Mikheyev

Ryan Donato – Oliver Moore – Nick Lardis 

Colton Dach – Nick Foligno – Landon Slaggert

Defensemen

Alex Vlasic – Louis Crevier

Wyatt Kaiser – Artyom Levshunov

Matt Grzelcyk – Connor Murphy

Source: Charlie Roumeliotis (WGN Radio)

Starting Goalie

Arvid Soderblom (5-7-1, 3.87 GAA, .873 SV%)

Source: Charlie Roumeliotis (WGN Radio)

Special Teams

Boston’s power play (24.6%) ranks sixth in the NHL. They tallied an empty-net goal on Thursday night to finish one-for-two against Seattle. The Bruins have drawn 202 penalties this season, the fifth-most in the league. 

The Bruins’ penalty kill (78.8%) has been called on a lot this season; they have taken 238 penalties, the most in the NHL. Seattle scored twice on the power play on Thursday night; the Bruins added a shorthanded goal. However, the penalty kill ranks 19th. 

Chicago has the league’s 12th-ranked power play (22.2%). They have scored five times on the power play in their last five games, but also allowed a shorthanded goal in that span. On the other hand, Chicago’s penalty kill (85.0%) is ranked second in the league. 

Boston is going from a game against Seattle’s 32nd-ranked penalty kill to facing Chicago’s second-ranked penalty kill. 

Season Series

Thursday, October 9: @ BOS – Bruins win 4-3 (OT)

Saturday, January 17: Bruins @ Blackhawks

Upcoming Schedule

Tuesday, January 20: Bruins @ Stars, 7:30 PM

Thursday, January 22: Golden Knights @ Bruins, 7:00 PM

Saturday, January 24: Canadiens @ Bruins, 7:00 PM

Monday, January 26: Bruins @ Rangers, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, January 27: Predators @ Bruins, 7:00 PM

How To Watch

8:00 PM ET

TV: NESN

Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub