In preparation for their Saturday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden, the Boston Bruins find themselves grappling with a fluid lineup situation. Head coach Jim Montgomery expressed that the team has multiple decisions to make and was unable to confirm a concrete lineup after the morning skate on Causeway Street.

One notable absence from the lineup will be James van Riemsdyk, who left the morning skate early and is now considered day-to-day. His absence provides an opportunity for Matt Poitras to potentially return to the lineup. Poitras, who represented Canada at the World Juniors, has not played since December 16. During the morning skate, he was seen centering Trent Frederic and Danton Heinen.

When asked about Poitras' contributions to the team, Montgomery highlighted his ability to make plays and compete on both ends of the ice. The coach emphasized the importance of game management and avoiding prolonged shifts. Montgomery expressed excitement about Poitras' playmaking abilities, which could prove valuable to the Bruins' lineup.

On a less positive note, Mason Lohrei was unable to participate in the morning skate as he underwent more dental work to address an injury sustained earlier in the week when he took a puck to the face. Parker Wotherspoon took his place alongside Kevin Shattenkirk during the skate.

As the Bruins prepare to face the Lightning, it is worth noting that this is the second meeting between the two teams this season. Tampa Bay emerged victorious in their initial encounter on November 20, with a 5-4 overtime win at Amalie Arena. The Lightning are concluding a three-game road trip and are coming off an impressive 4-1 triumph against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Currently, the Lightning (19-16-5) find themselves just one point behind Philadelphia and New Jersey in the race for a wild card spot. Frederic acknowledged the skill and speed possessed by the Tampa Bay team, emphasizing the physicality and intensity that tends to characterize their matchups against Boston.

Nikita Kucherov, who is currently tied with Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead in scoring with 64 points in 39 games, poses a significant threat for the Lightning. His 27 goals place him second behind Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Montgomery stressed the importance of discipline, as Kucherov plays approximately 24 minutes each game, making it difficult to match up specific defensemen against him.

Brayden Point, with 17 goals and 40 points in 40 games, is another key offensive player for the Lightning. Montgomery noted Point's exceptional two-way play and praised his ability to create scoring opportunities while supporting Kucherov's offensive prowess.

As the Boston Bruins prepare to host the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team faces a challenging lineup situation. With van Riemsdyk ruled out and Poitras potentially returning, the Bruins will need to rely on their depth to secure a victory against a talented Tampa Bay squad.