Boston @ Winnipeg preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 9, 2020 ) Winnipeg 4, Boston 5

The Boston Bruins are tied for the second-highest point total in the NHL but their once-healthy lead atop the Atlantic Division is down to five points coming out of the All-Star break. Returning to action for the first time in 10 days, the Bruins will kick off a rugged stretch featuring eight road games in the next 12 at the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night.

Boston netminder Tuukka Rask was forced to sit out the All-Star Game due to a concussion that sidelined him for the last three contests, but he is expected to get the nod against Winnipeg. "Tuukka's looking great," coach Bruce Cassidy said Thursday. "Barring anything, waking up tomorrow, he'll probably be our starter tomorrow. If not, he's definitely going to play on Saturday." The Jets were outscored 20-7 during a season-worst four-game slide entering the break and have lost six of seven, including a 5-4 setback at Boston on Jan. 9. Friday's matchup is the opener of a three-game homestand for Winnipeg, which is three points out of a playoff slot entering a stretch in which it will play nine of the next 10 at Bell MTS Place.

TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: NESN, TVAS, TSN3

ABOUT THE BRUINS (29-10-12): David Pastrnak, a member of Boston's Perfection Line and the league's top goal scorer with 37, was MVP of the All-Star Game after collecting four tallies and a pair of assists over the weekend. "He's such a talented player and it's great for him to shine on a level like that," linemate Brad Marchand said of Pastrnak, who registered his third hat trick of the season in the previous matchup against the Jets, boosting his totals to eight goals and a pair of assists in 10 career meetings.

ABOUT THE JETS (25-22-4): Leading scorer Mark Scheifele, who had one goal and set up another at the All-Star Game and matched those numbers in the loss to Boston earlier this month, was not at Thursday's practice session but will play Friday. Scheifele has 11 points in 13 games against the Bruins. All-Star netminder Connor Hellebuyck labored in his final three starts before the break, surrendering 13 goals. He will face St. Louis on Saturday, giving backup Laurent Brossoit a chance to avenge the earlier loss to the Bruins.

OVERTIME

1. Bruins F Jake DeBrusk had two goals and an assist in the first meeting with Winnipeg.

2. Jets F Kyle Connor, the team leader with 25 goals, also scored and had an assist in the last game versus Boston.

3. The Bruins recalled F Karson Kuhlman and D Jeremy Lauzon from Providence of the American Hockey League.

OVERTIME: Jets 4, Bruins 3