Bruins Take On Leafs, Welcome Back Paille
BOSTON (CBS) - If the Bruins want to expand their lead in the Northeast Division, a win against Toronto Tuesday night is a good start.
After dropping three of their last four, the Bruins welcome Phil Kessel and the Maple Leafs to town. The B's have won six straight against the Leafs in Boston, and 11 out of the last 14 overall.
The Bruins still will not take the struggling Leafs lightly.
"Toronto's a team right now that they're not in the playoffs but they play hard every night," Bruins forward Daniel Paille said. "It's something we can't take lightly. We've lost two in a row so we should be focused tonight."
"After the All-Star break everyone talks about every game meaning something, even against a team like this," Forward Milan Lucic added.
Even though this is an Original-Six matchup, the rivalry has heated up as of late.
"Ever since Kessel is on the other side, it seems like the fans get into it more," Lucic said. "There's more emotion. That kind of builds the rivalry. They're definitely a tough team. They're going to be in your face, and so are we."
Paille returns Tuesday night after serving his four-game suspension for a blind side hit on Dallas forward Raymond Sawada two weeks ago. The forward says he will still play his physical game, but will also have the hit that cost him four games in the back of his head.
"I'll think about certain plays, but I'm gonna try and stay physical," Paille said. "Especially playing with the line I am now. Just have to be aware on certain plays and try not extend the arm out."
Daniel Paille Talks About Returning From His Four Game Suspension
As for Phil Kessel, the 23-year-old has not had much success against his former team. He has no goals in nine games against Boston, and is currently riding a 14-game goal-less streak. Kessel can match the longest scoring draught of his career, set back in 2007 when he was a rookie with the Bruins.
