MONTREAL -- Bonjour from snowy Montreal, where the Bruins are bunkered down after a brief morning practice at Mantha Arena. Quite a departure from sunny Raleigh, where Carolina fans were tailgating prior to last night's 5-2 Boston loss.

* No word on whether P.J. Axelsson (bruised left foot) will play tomorrow night. Axelsson, who sat out last night's game and didn't practice today, is walking with a cast on his foot. He originally suffered the injury while blocking a shot on Nov. 20 -- two weeks from tomorrow. Axelsson is planning to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine whether there is additional damage. "It hasn't gone down," a concerned Axelsson said of the swelling.

* The Bruins will call up Jeff Hoggan from Providence later today. Hoggan will replace Axelsson in the lineup if the left wing can't play tomorrow. Petr Tenkrat would most likely remain in Axelsson's spot on the No. 1 line.

* Tenkrat, who was high-sticked by Craig Adams, originally thought he had lost some Chiclets. While his teeth didn't sustain any damage, Tenkrat is boasting a fat purple bruise on the left side of his mouth.

* Tim Thomas will start tomorrow.

* Paul Mara (deep left thigh contusion) is questionable for tomorrow night as well. Mara's limp has improved since yesterday, but he didn't practice and underwent ice and heat treatment. He planned to spend part of tonight in the pool in hopes of healing the thigh. Mara said there isn't much concern of calcification at this point.

* Upon review of last night's loss, Dave Lewis said the first period was the best period the Bruins have played this season. "I thought we competed extremely hard," said Lewis. "We were sound structurally and positionally in all three zones."

* Lewis said positionally, Axelsson reminds him of Nicklas Lidstrom.

* Several Bruins were being fitted for coats and suits at the Bell Centre after practice by a representative from local tailor Giovanni. Lewis said he had no plans for a fitting and no intention of competing with Axelsson, the team's nattiest dresser.