Frederic Brunet will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Clifton to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old Clifton is averaging 20:38 time-on-ice, recording one assist and 13 hits in six games this season.
Connor Clifton will re-enter Boston's lineup on Thursday, sending Brunet to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Brunet is averaging 16:24 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 10 games this season.
The Bruins lead the Atlantic Division with a 9-3-1 record, largely thanks to Jeremy Swayman's stellar play. The 27-year-old Swayman is coming off a solid outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%), but did not receive enough offensive support, losing 2-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Swayman has a 2.19 GAA and .921 SV% in 10 games this season (7-2-1). The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as slight -103 road underdogs against a St. Louis Blues team that has been shut out in consecutive games (0-2-0).
The Bruins lead the Atlantic Division with a 9-2-1 record, largely thanks to the stellar play of Jeremy Swayman. The 27-year-old Swayman is coming off one of his weakest performances of the season, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%), but he still salvaged a 6-4 win over the San Jose Sharks. In nine games this season (7-1-1), Swayman has a solid 2.20 GAA and .920 SV%. The Bruins enter Tuesday's contest against the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.
The Bruins have been stout defensively to start the season, allowing just 22 goals in 10 games, but they haven't leaned hard on rookie Michael DiPietro. That said, DiPietro has played well in limited action, including saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks for his first career win. The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as -140 home favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (1-1-2).
The Bruins have been stout defensively to start the season, allowing just 22 goals in 10 games, but they haven't leaned hard on rookie Michael DiPietro. That said, DiPietro has played well in limited action, including saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks for his first career win. The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as -140 home favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (1-1-2).
Khusnutdinov was drafted 37th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the past couple seasons with the Bruins. The 24-year-old Russian forward has five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games this season.
Pavel Zacha (upper body) will return from a one-game absence, resulting in Kuraly being a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old Kuraly is averaging 12:45 time-on-ice and has zero points in four games.
Zacha did not play in Boston's previous game due to an upper-body injury, but will return on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Czech forward was held without a point in his first four games of the season, but has five points (2G / 3A) in four games since. Sean Kuraly will be a healthy scratch to make room for Zacha.
Jeremy Swayman had a miserable 2024-25 season after signing a massive eight-year contract extension, posting an ugly 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 58 games (22-29-7). The organization had concerns about the contract, but he followed it up with a solid 2025-26 season, posting a 2.71 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games (31-18-4). Now, the 27-year-old goalie seems to be continuing his upward trajectory, opening the season with an outstanding 1.85 GAA and .934 SV% in seven games (6-1-0). The Bruins enter Tuesday's action as +146 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team with points in five of their last six games (4-1-1).
Nikita Zadorov will re-enter Boston's lineup on Tuesday, sending Aspirot to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Aspirot is averaging 16:58 time-on-ice and has zero points in four games this season.
Jonathan Aspirot will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Zadorov to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:52 time-on-ice, recording three assists, 31 hits, and 29 penalty minutes in eight games this season.
Zacha did not play in Boston's previous game due to an upper-body injury, and his status for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars remains uncertain. The 29-year-old Czech forward was held without a point in his first four games of the season, but has five points (2G / 3A) in four games since.
