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Bruins facing tall task

Print | Comments () Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff February 2, 2010 11:42 AM

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The Bruins, desperate for a win, only have to stare down the NHL's hottest team tonight.

"We don't get to pick our opponents, unfortunately," Claude Julien said. "You've got to take what comes. They've obviously been playing well. They're confident. They've got a lot of skill on that hockey club. We've got a challenge. This is something we don't control, but we feel good enough as a team right now to face that challenge."

The Capitals, who will be backstopped by Jose Theodore tonight, are aiming for a franchise-best 11th straight win.

"They know they're going to be playing a really good team," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said of his players. "I don't care what the standings say or anything else. We know Boston is a good team. We know they're about to break out of this slump. We just don't want it to be against us."

Based on the end of the morning skate, Shawn Thornton will replace Byron Bitz on the fourth line. Bitz remained on the ice for extra work along with Vladimir Sobotka.
Andrew Ference said the next stage will be stops and starts. Once he's able to accelerate, Ference said he'll be closer to being game-ready.