Ryder returns to old haunts

WATERBURY, Vt. - Today, for the first time in his pro career, Michael Ryder will enter the Bell Centre in Montreal without the Canadiens as his employer.

Following practice yesterday at the Ice Center, Ryder wasn't sure he'd be in the lineup against his old club. He was kept out of the Bruins' preseason opener against the Canadiens last week. But with the season-opening game against Colorado only eight days away, it's a good bet that the shoot-first right wing will be on the ice tonight, most likely with Marc Savard serving as his setup man.

"It will be different being on the other side, that's for sure," Ryder said. "It's going to be an adjustment, a different feeling. I've never done this before."

Ryder has one goal in three preseason games, having netted the winner against Detroit Friday. He's getting more comfortable adjusting to Boston's system and Savard's ability to dish the puck in tight spaces.

With Zdeno Chara on track to make his first preseason appearance tonight, Ryder could also see some power-play time with the No. 1 unit. Chara and Patrice Bergeron are expected to man the points on the top unit, with Ryder, Savard, and Marco Sturm rounding out the five-man group.

Ryder still has friends on the Montreal roster, but he doesn't know how he'll be greeted by the Bell Centre hooters. One of his final ties to Montreal is the condo that his friend, a real estate broker, is preparing for the market.

"Going back and playing against them, I'm not sure what kind of reception I'm going to get," Ryder said. "I think I'm going to get a few [boos]."

Another round?

On Sept. 22, Shawn Thornton settled several scores when he delivered a beating to Montreal forward Steve Begin. For one thing, Thornton wasn't crazy about Ryan Flinn's takedown of Jeremy Reich earlier that period. Also, it was payback for Begin's back-cracking hit on Savard last March 22.

Asked whether the Canadiens might seek retribution tonight, Thornton said, "I don't know. But this is part of my job. I've never backed down before. I'm not going to start now."

During the offseason, Montreal added Georges Laraque, arguably the toughest guy in the NHL. On Feb. 28, Thornton turned down Laraque's request to fight when the heavyweight skated for Pittsburgh because the Bruins held a four-goal lead at the time.

"I'm probably going to have to fight him sometime this year," Thornton said.

Action figure

Manny Fernandez, scratched Friday against the Red Wings because of a bruised thumb and middle finger, will most likely start in goal tonight, according to coach Claude Julien. Fernandez has played only two periods in the preseason, allowing two goals on 12 shots to the Canadiens. He is also expected to start one of the two games this weekend (at home vs. the Islanders Saturday, at Washington Sunday). "I think there's no doubt he has to fine-tune himself," Julien said. "There's not much time left. I think a lot of players have to fine-tune themselves to start the season, and he's part of that group. We need to get him into some action here and give him a chance to fine-tune himself."

Coming together

Some of the Bruins hit the links at the Country Club of Vermont yesterday after practice. On Monday, they participated in a ropes-course activity at the Bolton Adventure Center. Part of the afternoon included walking the high ropes. "I think it's going well," said Julien. "The activities we had were pretty amazing. They were learning to work as a group, and the other part was challenging their fears, and having to do it sometimes with a teammate. I think it was good. I got a lot of positive feedback from my players. They really enjoyed the activities. We hope it pays off as we move on to the start of the season." . . . Tonight's game will serve as one of the final opportunities for youngsters like Blake Wheeler, Matt Lashoff, and Matt Hunwick to prove they belong with the big club. "There are some young guys we haven't seen much and we'll give a last look to," said Julien. "The reason we're this high in numbers still is that there are players who have been really impressive and deserved to stick around." . . . Petteri Nokelainen (groin) was held out of practice. He joined David Krejci (groin) and Peter Schaefer (hip) on the sidelines. Julien said Schaefer was close to practicing yesterday but was kept off the ice by the training staff; he could skate today.