After notching their third victory in a row in Montreal on Tuesday night, the Bruins roll into Thursday’s matchup with the Canucks on a little roll. They could get even better news tonight if one guy potentially returns from injury.

David Krejci, who has missed the last 10 games due to an upper body injury, took part in the optional morning skate at TD Garden. While his progress continues, the Bruins’ assistant captain, along with Landon Ferraro, who missed Tuesday’s game against the Habs, are both game-time decisions.

Like the Bruins, the Canucks come in looking for a wild card spot out west. They sit in a three-way tie for second in the Pacific Division joining the Sharks and Coyotes with 49 points. Neither team will want to leave points on the table in this important mid-season matchup.

Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 24-16-5 (53 points), Canucks 19-17-11 (49 points)
Location: TD Garden

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Brett Connolly
Matt Beleskey-David Krejci/Ryan Spooner-Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano/David Pastrnak-Joonas Kemppainen/Ryan Spooner-Jimmy Hayes
Zac Rinaldo/Landon Ferraro-Joonas Kemppainen/Max Talbot-David Pastrnak

Zdeno Chara-Zach Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Morrow
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Jonas Gustavsson

Canucks projected lines

Daniel Sedin-Jared McCann-Jannik Hansen
Sven Baertschi-Bo Horvat-Radim Vrbata
Emerson Etem-Linden Vey-Jake Virtanen
Alexandre Burrows-Adam Cracknell-Derek Dorsett

Alexander Edler-Chris Tanev
Ben Hutton-Luca Sbisa
Matt Bartkowski-Alex Biega

Jacob Markstrom
Ryan Miller

Matchup to watch: Bruins offense vs. Canucks defense

With just three goals on the season, Torey Krug hopes to add to his total against a Canucks defense that is giving up over 40 shots on goal on average over the last four games. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

The Canucks are 2-1-1 on their current six-game road trip, but not everything has gone smoothly for them. Over the last four games, their defense has been struggling to keep the puck out of their own end, allowing 168 shots on goal in that span. It’s hard to imagine where they’d be if it weren’t for the play of Ryan Miller and tonight’s starter Jacob Markstrom, who have bailed Vancouver out with their stellar performances between the pipes.

Coming in ranked fourth in goals (135) and second in power play percentage (27), the Bruins hope to make Markstrom’s night a little more difficult. With several moving parts on the Canucks defense, including Matt Bartkowski, the B’s are hoping to provide another difficult night for Markstrom.

Storyline to watch: Will Krejci make his return?

David Krejci (upper body) is a game-time decision for tonight’s game. (Photo by Angela Spagna, Bruins Daily)

As you can see on the Bruins lineup projections, there are several possibilities for Claude Julien if Krejci indeed returns. The one thing we do know is the defensive pairings, and the Patrice Bergeron line will stay intact while Krejci will likely skate with Loui Eriksson and Matt Beleskey and Ryan Spooner will slot back on the third line.

If Krejci does return, General Manager Don Sweeney will have to send someone down to Providence. The leading candidate to return to the P-Bruins is Frank Vatrano, who only has one goal in his last 13 games.

Stated by your’s truly yesterday, the Bruins are a better team with David Krejci than they are without him. Although this three-game winning streak is a good sign of progress, a returning Krejci can only help the Black and Gold’s cause.