Joonas Korpisalo will get the nod tonight when the Bruins try to extend their win streak to six games against the Blackhawks in Chicago at the United Center.
Jeremy Swayman played the previous two games but there is no need to overwork him at the moment. Korpisalo, much improved lately, has stopped 55-of-56 shots in last two starts.
While the goalie choice is set and the forward lines will remain the same, there are a couple of game-time decisions on the back end. Both Andrew Peeke, who left Thursday’s win over the Seattle Kraken with a lower body injury, and Hampus Lindholm, who has been out since suffering a lower body injury in Vancouver on January 3, participated in the morning skate.
Coach Marco Sturm did term Peeke as doubtful, but the defenseman was happy to get on the ice.
“To be able to skate this quickly is a really good step. It’s in a good spot. I want to be healthy but I want to be ready to go at the same time,” Peeke told reporters in Chicago.
With the uncertainty lingering on the back end, right-shot defenseman and Hanson native Billy Sweezey was recalled from Providence on an emergency basis.
“The last little while, he’s been their motor, the guy not just on the ice and off the ice,” said Sturm. “We’re just getting prepared if a guy like Peeke is out, if we need a guy like that, who can give us 12 minutes, who can block shots. It was an easy choice. Talking to everyone down in Providence, he definitely deserved that.”
This is the B’s siblings trip, with players’ brothers or sisters along for the ride on the annual family trip. Sturm hopes it was going to give them a boost.
“Usually it does. It’s just a good thing having them around,” said Sturm. “It’s usually the mom or dads, now it’s the siblings so there’s a lot of pressure on them right now. But it’s great. They’re really excited and hopefully we can give them two really good games (they travel on to Dallas for a Tuesday game). We have something good going on right now but we don’t want to lose that edge we had going on in the last five games.”
Sturm said that Chicago has always been one of his favorite stops.
“There are city’s where you felt you always had good games and bad games. I feel like Chicago was always one of the better ones,” said Sturm. “It starts with the national anthem. It’s outstanding. I wish I played at the old rink. I missed that unfortunately. It’s still good. A lot of good memories here and the guys should enjoy it.”
