Tampa Bay Lightning (39-17-6, second in the Atlantic) vs. Boston Bruins (39-19-5, fourth in the Atlantic)
Boston; Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Boston hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning after Brad Marchand scored two goals in the Bruins' 3-2 overtime win against the Canadiens.
The Bruins have gone 13-3-1 against division opponents. Boston is first in the Eastern Conference with 5.2 assists per game, led by Marchand averaging 0.7.
The Lightning are 11-5-1 against Atlantic opponents. Tampa Bay has scored 205 goals and ranks eighth in the NHL averaging 3.3 goals per game. Steven Stamkos leads the team with 27.
In their last matchup on Jan. 8, Boston won 5-2. Marchand recorded a team-high 2 points for the Bruins.
TOP PERFORMERS: Marchand leads the Bruins with 62 points, scoring 27 goals and adding 35 assists. Craig Smith has eight goals over the last 10 games for Boston.
Stamkos leads the Lightning with 66 points, scoring 27 goals and collecting 39 assists. Victor Hedman has six goals and five assists over the last 10 games for Tampa Bay.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bruins: 7-2-1, averaging 3.2 goals, six assists, 3.5 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game with a .907 save percentage.
Lightning: 4-6-0, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.2 assists, 5.3 penalties and 12.1 penalty minutes while allowing 2.7 goals per game with a .918 save percentage.
INJURIES: Bruins: Patrice Bergeron: out (arm).
Lightning: None listed.
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