As he's done the last few days, Paul Mara downplayed any notion of another bout with Darcy Tucker.

"He took liberties on our two best players," said Mara after the Bruins' skate. "If you reverse the situation and someone takes liberties on Mats Sundin or [Tomas] Kaberle, they're coming after that person as well."

* Tim Thomas will start tonight. Dave Lewis said Thomas will most likely start on Thursday against Tampa Bay as well, but would like to get Hannu Toivonen some action soon. "Timmy's got his A-game going," Lewis said.

* Nate Thompson was recalled from Providence. The forward is expected to be in Toronto for tonight's game in case P.J. Axelsson, who did not skate this morning, cannot play.

* Nathan Dempsey, placed on waivers yesterday, cleared at today's noon deadline and will most likely be assigned to Providence.

* Jason York, who did not make the trip because of a lower-body injury, did not skate at home today. "I see all the other coaches saying that," Lewis, tongue in cheek, said of his vague description of York's injury. "Why can't I talk like that?

* Expected Boston lineup, assuming Axelsson can play:

Axelsson-Savard-Murray
Sturm-Bergeron-Boyes
Chistov-Kessel-Tenkrat
Primeau-Mowers-Donovan

Alberts-Chara
Mara-B. Stuart
M. Stuart-Jurcina

Thomas