After Thornton’s stitchings, Bruins make lineup alterations
Thornton/By S. Bradley
Bruins head coach Claude Julien said today that winger Shawn Thornton is not medically cleared to play tonight against Toronto at TD Garden.
The veteran was sliced above the right eye by a skate blade Tuesday night. Michael Ryder, a recent healthy scratch, will be in for Thornton.
On defense, Julien said he will work in rookie Steven Kampfer tonight and rest Johnny Boychuk. Kampfer last played March 17 at Nashville.
Honestly I think it is the pairing. They play Boychuk with Chara and I think they intend to play Kampfer with Chara. Ference and McQuaid are awesome together IMO and Kaberle and Seids do okay.
I don’t think they will put Kaberle with Chara though-they seem to want Kaberle anchoring the second pair of defensemen.
Boychuk must have some sort of injury that they are looking at. This is the only reason why they would not play him. I agree with giving Kampfer time to play, but I also believe that McQuaid could use more of a breather than Johnny, especially since Boychuk seems to always make good plays and hits against the Leafs.
If Ryder is with Paille and Campbell, it could turn into more of a fourth scoring line than an exhausting line.
Maybe they are waiting to rest Mcquaid for the Atlanta game. That would give him the full weekend to rest up rather than just a day or two.
in claude we trust. i can see the sheriff spelling darth quaider next game (both righties).
Boychuk is coming off his best set of games in a long time, why is he being rested versus McQuiad who is exhausted…
I am surprised they are resting a 27 year old, not the other guys. I wonder if it is really a scratch?
I hope Kampfer can get into the groove he had going earlier this season when they initially called him up.
Hope Steven plays a solid game. He needs his confidence boosted the same way as Seguin’s.
Kampfer plays too many minutes paired with Chara for my taste. I’d like to see Kaberle and Chara just for the Leafs
Hope Kampfer runs with Chara… need at least one big body on every D-pair, Toronto is going to come out banging bodies.