Prepping for the Predators

Tim Thomas will start tonight as the Bruins kick off the unofficial second half of the season against Nashville.

Peter Schaefer, a healthy scratch against the Islanders last Thursday, will be back in the lineup tonight. Jeremy Reich projects to be the healthy scratch.

* Patrice Bergeron has an appointment with a neurologist today, partly to determine whether his neck (he said it's been feeling stiff lately) is causing the headaches he's been experiencing. Bergeron said he hopes to get back on the stationary bike later this week.

* P.J. Axelsson participated in the morning skate and stayed out with Reich and Alex Auld after their teammates hit the dressing room. Axelsson said his foot felt good and is hoping to practice with the team tomorrow. No one's saying for sure, but if Axelsson can get through a few more practices, there's a possibility he could be available on Saturday against Detroit.

* Glen Murray skated on his own this morning.

* Nashville is banged up as well, with four players on injured reserve: David Legwand (leg), Jordin Tootoo (groin), Steve Sullivan (back), and Darcy Hordichuk (leg).

Tonight's expected lineup:

Sturm-Savard-Kessel
Lucic-Metropolit-Kobasew
Pelletier-Krejci-Sobotka
Schaefer-Nokelainen-Thornton

Chara-Wideman
Stuart-Ward
Ference-Hnidy

Thomas