The Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers on Monday, with the puck drop set for 1 p.m. ET. Ahead of the Bruins' fourth game of the season, here is what their projected lineup is expected to look like.
Predicted Bruins lineup
Forwards
- Pavel Zacha - Elias Lindholm - David Pastrnak
- Brad Marchand - Charlie Coyle - Morgan Geekie
- Trent Frederic - Matthew Poitras - Justin Brazeau
- John Beecher - Max Kastelic - Cole Koepke
Boston has been using the same forward lines to begin the season. The team is top-heavy with its forwards, but the bottom of the lineup adds physicality and energy.
Defenseman
- Nikita Zadorov - Charlie McAvoy
- Hampus Lindholm - Brandon Carlo
- Mason Lohrei - Andrew Peeke
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The Bruins' blue line is one of their strengths this season. Zadorov has had an immediate impact since signing as a free agent and has been playing with Charlie McAvoy on the top pairing.
Goalies
- Jeremy Swayman
- Joonas Korpisalo
Jeremy Swayman is expected to start this game. Koprisalo suited up for the season opener and was shelled by Florida. Swayman now gets a turn against the Panthers after he signed the eight-year extension.
"It was pretty emotional, that warm welcome," Swayman said in the locker room postgame, via NBC Sports. "It just shows what kind of fanbase we have here, knowing it's more than a player, it's a human being they care about. I got pretty emotional stepping on the ice and hearing that roar again.
"I'm so grateful to be a part of this city, a part of this team. It's moments like that that make everything worth it."
The Florida Panthers eliminated Boston in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bruins' October NHL schedule
Boston's schedule for the first month of the season is as follows:
- vs. Florida, Oct. 14
- @ Colorado, Oct. 16
- @ Utah, Oct. 19
- @ Nashville, Oct. 22
- vs. Dallas, Oct. 24
- vs. Toronto, Oct. 26
- vs. Philadelphia, Oct. 29
- @ Carolina, Oct. 31
