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BOSTON -- For the past two days, the Boston Bruins insisted their late-season funk was in the rearview mirror. There would be no more blown leads in the third period and no more lackluster starts. The skilled and physical Bruins would return.

Well, the Bruins kept their promises as they overcame an early Toronto Maple Leafs power-play goal and scored the next four goals, dominating the Leafs 4-1 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

David Krejci had a goal and two assists, Wade Redden had a goal and an assist and Nathan Horton and Johnny Boychuk both lit the lamp for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask looked solid between the pipes, making 19 saves, with James van Riemsdyk’s power-play goal in the opening period the only shot that beat him.

For the Leafs, James Reimer was under siege all night as the Bruins poured 40 shots on him.

Lucic-Krejci-Horton line clicks again: One of the big question marks heading into this series was whether Milan Lucic, Krejci and Horton could find their magic again. If Game 1 is any indication, the band is back together and the magic is there. In addition to Krejci’s three-point performance and Horton lighting the lamp, Lucic had two helpers and continued to look more like the Lucic who used a combination of grit, size and skating to earn two straight seasons of 20-plus goals. The chemistry was back as Horton and Lucic got to open spaces to benefit from Krejci’s playmaking skills, and Krejci looked a lot like the player who was a candidate for the 2011 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Bruins defense provides offensive boost: Prior to Game 1, coach Claude Julien lauded Redden for his recent play and puck-moving skills. Redden continued to impress with his goal and an assist, but the Bruins' entire defense did a great job of moving the puck and creating offense in Game 1. In addition to Boychuk's goal, Bruins defensemen helped in peppering Reimer and controlling neutral zone play.

Power play looks better: While the Bruins’ power play (1-for-5) can certainly still be better, it did convert once and moved the puck a lot better. The passes were crisp, and there was less hesitation. If that continues, the scoring production will increase.

Suspension coming for Ference? Andrew Ference could very well be sitting out a game or more after elbowing Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski in the head in the first period. No penalty was called, but the replay clearly shows an elbow to the head.

Bruins have two goals called back: Things could have been even worse for the Leafs if not for two Bruins goals being called back. The referees and replay officials got it right in calling back a Tyler Seguin shot that clearly rang off the post 1:10 into the second period. But Patrice Bergeron’s no-goal was a bit questionable as the referees claimed the whistle was blown before Bergeron pushed it into the net. But even if the refs were wrong, the rule states if they intended to blow it and didn’t do it in time, then it’s still not a goal.

Bad blood boils at end: In addition to Ference’s questionable hit to the head of Grabovski, there was plenty of hard hitting throughout the game. As time wound down in the third period and it was clear the Bruins would win, the Leafs decided to let the Bruins know they were still there, taking plenty of extra hits after the whistle and then stirring things up at the final buzzer. The result was a Chris Kelly-Leo Komarov fight. It should be a physical Game 2.

Hamilton and Peverley sit: Not surprisingly, Julien kept Dougie Hamilton in the press box as a healthy scratch. The defenseman struggled in his last few games of the regular season, and Julien seems to have opted to take the learning-from-up-top route he took with Seguin as a rookie to start the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. While Rich Peverley might have had an off season, one would think Julien would prefer playoff and Cup experience in the lineup instead of an inexperienced Kaspars Daugavins. But it was Daugavins playing with Kelly and Jaromir Jagr for Game 1.

Here’s what the rest of the lineup looked like:

Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Daugavins-Kelly-Jagr
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Defensemen
Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuk
Redden-Adam McQuaid

Goalies
Rask
Anton Khudobin

Milan Lucic's season was a disppointment to himself and to the Bruins. The rugged forward finished with just seven goals and 13 assists, and as the season wound down openly acknowledged that he needs to be better.

Lucic accepted coach Claude Julien making him a healthy scratch on April 20 against the Penguins and since then has started to put his words into action, finishing the season with two fights, a goal and two assists in his last four games. His trademark snarl seems to be coming back, leaving general manager Peter Chiarelli optimistic that Lucic -- who can be one of the most intimidating players in the NHL when he’s at his best -- is rounding into form at the right time.

“I feel really good about that. His last two games have been very, very good,” Chiarelli said in a conference call with the media. “[Lucic is] moving his feet, strong on the puck, good shooting, physical. He’s really picked up his game, and that’s the type of game we need to have success in the playoffs.”

While Chiarelli wasn’t making excuses for the player he signed last summer to a three-year extension that will pay Lucic $6 million per season, he did acknowledge that any time a player gets a hefty raise, it can weigh on him as expectations increase.

“Generally, I would say when someone signs a big extension there is pressure, whether they admit it or not,” Chiarelli said. “It puts you in a different stratosphere. And you know what, you can say that about all these guys that got extensions. [Brad] Marchand and [Tyler] Seguin got extensions and both have had levels of performance that have been good at times, and like the rest of the team, just OK at times. There is pressure when you sign those extensions, and Milan is no different than the rest of them.”

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- If, as expected, Boston Bruins power forward Milan Lucic has not merely played his way down the lineup but out of it altogether, there could hardly be a more stark illustration of the concerns facing the team as it prepares for the postseason.

Although coach Claude Julien would not confirm that Lucic will be a healthy scratch Friday night when the Bruins play host to the scorching-hot Pittsburgh Penguins, his use of Lucic during practice Thursday at the team's suburban facility suggests Lucic will be the odd man out.

Even Lucic seemed resigned to the fact that his poor play could see him in a suit and tie instead of suiting up for what many view as a possible Eastern Conference finals preview, something that would have been unthinkable the last two seasons as he scored a combined 56 goals and established himself as a player with a rare blend of snarl and skill.

A contrite Lucic talked about a confidence level that has sunk to levels he hasn't experienced in years and the need to stop looking in any direction other than within for answers.

"You can't just keep making excuses," said Lucic, who has one goal in his last 11 games and just six on the season.

With Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand back from injury (they played in Wednesday's shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres) and with prospect Carl Soderberg looking to get his first taste of the NHL before the start of the playoffs, there simply might not be room for Lucic on the ice.

But give Lucic credit: He acknowledged that being scratched wouldn't be anyone's fault but his own.

"No, I wouldn't blame anyone but myself," he said. "I'm for what's best for the team."

That said, it's a troubling situation given how important a tough, skilled player is come playoff time.

"I've taken pride in being a big part of this team," Lucic said.

Both he and club management are hopeful he can be again. But there is no doubt he has not been the same player to whom the Bruins committed a three-year contract extension before the lockout; the contract pays him an average of $6 million a season.

"He's had a disappointing season," GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com Thursday.

Chiarelli wonders if a lack of training during the lockout contributed to Lucic's struggles.

"He's a big guy that maybe didn't train as hard as he should have, and it's catching up with him a little bit," the GM said.

Is there an issue with effort?

"His game is not where it should be and that's all I'll say on it," Chiarelli said.

Read more HERE.

BOSTON -- Every time Milan Lucic starts to feel the heat from the media and fans, he seems to respond.

That once again was the case Monday as Lucic cut a 2-0 Maple Leafs lead with his first goal in 15 games at 9:49 of the second period, helping to jump-start his team to a 3-2 shootout win.

After the game, Lucic was happy to have rid himself of the latest monkey that set up shop on his back.

“Definitely relief. You start thinking positively again and like they say, the monkey is off your back,” Lucic said. “It’s definitely on your mind, and after the goal I had a lot more positive thinking, so it was good to get it.”

Coach Claude Julien had put Lucic on a different line and the rugged winger admitted after the game that he realized it was partly an effort to get him going. Lucic admitted he had gotten close to a boiling point.

“It was starting to get really frustrating, going as long as I did without a goal,” Lucic said. “You try so many different things, you keep pushing and pushing and when things start not working, you start second-guessing yourself.

“It was a great play by [Jordan Caron] to beat the pinch there and [Rich Peverley] gave me the pass and I just wanted to take it to the net and was able to finish it off. My game is pretty simple so it doesn’t really matter who I play with, I’m expected to play a certain way and I play the same way no matter who I play with.”

With a new three-year contract extension that will pay him $6 million per year starting next season, Lucic has high expectations for himself. But he realizes he hasn’t been meeting them.

“You always have expectations on yourself and you want to get better every year as you get older and as you start reaching your prime you want to continue getting better,” Lucic said. “It’s no secret, but it does add a little bit of pressure on you.

“But you can’t really think about it. If you think about it too much, then that’s when things aren’t going right for you. So like I said, you try not to think about it and just go out there and play your game.”

Lucic realizes he has been the target of media and fan criticism recently and has done his best to block it out.

“You try not to listen to it, that’s the main thing,” Lucic said. “And you just want to do whatever you can to get yourself out of it. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction, where I can get my game going.”

Lucic's game got going on Monday because his feet got going and he was using his size to plow down the wing. Julien noticed that and said that’s when Lucic is at his best.

“Always has been. With Milan, it’s all about his feet,” Julien said. “When his feet are moving and when he uses his speed, not just on the goal, but a couple other times there, he really took the puck to the outside and tried to cut back in. Either he’s going to get those chances or create some power plays for us, by getting them to drag him down. But he’s big, he’s strong, and when he uses his speed he’s certainly that much more of a player.”

Lucic plans to keep moving his game in that direction.

“I think you look at that goal there, I think a big thing was I was moving my feet on the play and I was able to create a lot of speed, and when I move my feet I give myself a lot more opportunities,” he said.

That can only mean good things for a Bruins offense that has been stagnant for too long.

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins need more from forwards Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton.

The team’s top-line wingers haven’t scored of late, and that has to change in order for the Bruins to remain successful in the second half of the season. Lucic has not scored since Feb. 24 at Florida. Horton’s last goal came on Feb. 28 against Ottawa, and he’s had just one assist since then, too.

Overall this season, Lucic has four goals and 10 assists for 14 points, while Horton has posted seven goals and five assists for 12 points.

Bruins coach Claude Julien wants to see a more forceful forecheck from the pair of wingers.

“I think they need to go back to their north/south game,” Julien said. “I don’t think there’s a single team in the league that likes to see Lucic forechecking, or going after a loose puck. Same thing with Nathan Horton. When he’s on his game and he’s committed to it, he’s another real physical player that can forecheck and put other teams on their heels.

"Those guys are better served when they play that way, and what that eventually does is back guys off, and when they back guys off then they’re capable of making plays like they had been just inside the blue line. But right now there doesn’t seem to be the intention of putting pucks in areas where those guys can use it to their advantage. They’re forcing plays a little too much in the neutral zone, which ends up being turnovers and not utilizing their strengths to their advantage.”

During his six-year career with the Bruins, Lucic has had a tendency to fall into a goal-scoring drought, and this season is no different. His current skid is nine games without a goal. His past scoreless skids per season are eight games (2011-2012), 12 games (2010-2011), 10 games (2009-2010), 15 games (2008-2009) and 20 games during his rookie season in 2007-2008.

BOSTON -- Milan Lucic may not be scoring like a power forward right now, but he is still maintaining that physical presence.

The Bruins know that if he keeps that up, the goals will come. Lucic and his teammates had some tired legs in the Bruins' 2-1 overtime win over Ottawa on Thursday, but he assisted on Nathan Horton's second-period goal and now has a goal and two assists in his last three games.

"I didn't think he was different than everybody else, as far as I didn't think he skated well," coach Claude Julien said. "But his physicality, when he throws body checks, it makes a difference as far as the energy in our hockey club, and what it does to the other team, looking over their shoulders. He brings that element to our team that's so important, and he's maybe not scoring at the rate he'd like to, but there are a lot of guys that aren't, and that's a thing that we hope as we keep moving forward here is going to come around, and when that comes around, we're going to be that much better."

That's pretty much the way the rugged winger sees it as he's doing his best to stay patient and focus on the positives. But he also knows there is room for improvement.

"I just gotta stick with what I'm doing and I feel pretty good with the way I'm playing," Lucic said. "Eventually the chances are going to come and I just gotta find a way to get more shots and get myself into position for more scoring opportunities and eventually they're going to find a way to go in."

BOSTON -- Bruins winger Milan Lucic learned a tough new lesson when he was penalized with 32 seconds left in regulation of a 1-1 game, which, thankfully for him and the Bruins, they won 2-1 over the Senators on Thursday.

Prior to this shortened season and as a result of the new CBA, the NHL added a component to Rule 67, which prohibits players from closing their hand on the puck. This season, if a player covers the puck on the ice "in order to conceal it from or prevent an opponent from playing the puck," he will receive a minor penalty. It seems there's still a learning curve 17 games into the season.

While Lucic, his teammates and a capacity TD Garden crowd immediately objected to it, Lucic and the Bruins weren't criticizing the referees after the game.

"It was more of a reaction thing than anything," Lucic said of the infraction. "I kind of forgot about [the new rule], to be honest. Obviously it was bad timing for it but it was still good to see the guys step up and kill it off in the end."

Bruins captain Zdeno Chara actually praised the officials for making the right call in what was obviously a very critical point of the game.

Of course there is no telling what the Bruins' reactions would have been had the Senators converted on that late power play, but the general consensus after the win was the refs got it right.

BOSTON -- Patrice Bergeron scored the overtime winner with 1:21 left and Tuukka Rask made 30 saves as the Bruins won their fifth straight to pull into sole possession of second place in the Northeast Division. Nathan Horton had the other goal for the Bruins.

Ottawa got a goal from Jim O'Brien and a brilliant performance from goalie Robin Lehner, who made 44 saves.

Bergeron's grit gets winner: Bergeron's game winner typifies his all-around gritty style. Bergeron as always was down low, paying the price, and was in the right place at the right time to tip home the goal. Bergeron now has a goal and two assists in his past two games, and four goals and 10 assists on the season. But points are only half of arguably the best two-way player's game, which was on display once again Thursday.

Goalie duel: When eyeing this game on the calendar two weeks ago, fans may have been excited to see two early-season Vezina Trophy candidates go at it in Rask and Craig Anderson, but Anderson went down with a sprained ankle last week and instead it was Lehner who faced the Bruins Thursday. The Swedish netminder didn't disappoint, as he almost stole a win from the Bruins with some amazing goaltending. At the other end, Rask was excellent once again as he won his fifth straight start. Two of the biggest saves came in overtime as Rask made two huge stops on an Ottawa power play early in the extra frame.

Thursday night special for Horton: Last Thursday at Tampa Bay, Nathan Horton scored two goals to help his team to a 4-2 win. A week later Horton lit the lamp 5:48 into the second period for his seventh goal of the season. Horton now has three goals and an assist in his past four games, and he continues to have a solid comeback from his past two concussion-plagued seasons.

Lucic's hard work paying off: Milan Lucic might not be scoring goals at the pace fans would like, and he did take a penalty with 31.6 seconds left in regulation, but he deserves credit for how hard he's been working out there this season. Lucic has still been a physical presence and he is doing the little things to help create opportunities for his linemates. A perfect example of that was not just the assist he got on Horton's second-period goal, but what he did to start that play -- walking the blue line and saving the puck from leaving the offensive zone. Lucic now has a goal and two assists in his past three games, but it's the little things that have the big winger making a difference right now.

Penalty-kill streak snapped: The Bruins finally gave up a power-play goal after killing off 27 straight. O'Brien's power-play tally at 14:38 of the second period was the first power-play goal the Bruins allowed since Feb. 6 in a 2-1 win at Montreal. That was their longest streak since they killed off 28 straight from March 1-11 in 2007. Nonetheless, the Bruins came up big when it counted most, killing off a penalty to start overtime.

Letdown hits in second period: The Bruins outshot Ottawa 18-15 in the middle frame, but there were plenty of mental lapses coach Claude Julien couldn't have been happy with. Bad penalties (including the dreaded too many men on the ice), errant passes and a more passive approach in their own end made for a period they were lucky to come out of tied at 1-1. After the morning skate, Julien discussed the infamous letdown that hits teams in their first game back after a long road trip, and it appeared to plague the Bruins in the second period. Thankfully they recovered for the win.

Roster remains the same: There were no changes in the lineup Thursday as Julien kept his forward and defensive pairings the same. Here's what the lineup looked like:

Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Chris Bourque-Chris Kelly-Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Defensemen
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Dougie Hamilton
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid

Goalies
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin

WILMINGTON, Mass. – The Bruins gained one, but lost seven for Tuesday morning’s practice at Ristuccia Arena.

A sizeable school vacation week crowd saw Milan Lucic return to the ice, after missing the Bruins’ Sunday game in Winnipeg for a personal matter. There was plenty of available ice, however, as seven players were held out with flu-like symptoms.

The team announced shortly before the 10:30 a.m. practice that Patrice Bergeron, Gregory Campbell, Andrew Ference, Nathan Horton, Adam McQuaid and Daniel Paille were held out. Also not participating in practice was goaltender Anton Khudobin, evidenced by a stack of pads in front of the net opposing the B’s lone healthy goaltender, Tuukka Rask.

Head coach Claude Julien mentioned that the flu bug is a perennial bout for NHL clubs this time of year, but he was hard pressed to recall a time when his team had seen such a number affected all at once.

“You have to figure out things that would benefit our group,” Julien said. “We put those drills together and made the best of it.”

Lucic returned and seemed to be in good spirits while meeting with reporters. While he didn’t expressly say the cause for his absence, the first-time father (whose daughter, Valentina, was born Jan. 17) also had health concerns on his mind.

“It was a long last three, couple of days, flying to Winnipeg and flying all the way back as soon as I got out there. But, like I said, everyone is happy and healthy, and that’s the main thing.”

Julien said the team didn’t anticipate making any emergency recalls to spell the M.A.S.H. unit, but would reevaluate the group’s condition tomorrow before heading to Tampa Bay for Thursday’s game.

“We’re hoping that it’s a short-term thing, which it seems to be,” he added. “But if that’s the case then we’ll have to deal with that probably tomorrow, if that’s the case.”

For now, the best thing that might help aid a speedy recovery is the promise of warmer climes with the B’s next two games coming in the Sunshine State.

“After I think what we’ve all been through these last two weeks with the snowstorm and it being pretty cold around the last week or so,” Lucic said, “it’ll be kinda nice to get some warm weather.”

Bruins forward Milan Lucic will miss Sunday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets after he returned to Boston for personal reasons, according to various media reports.

Lucic had flown with the team from Buffalo to Winnipeg on Saturday, but then returned to Boston.

"It's personal reasons. He's gone back to Boston. It's one of those things that happens every once in a while and we're all human here," Bruins coach Claude Julien told CSNNE.com. "So he's gone back to Boston."

With Lucic out, Jay Pandolfo will see his first action of the season. The Bruins signed the 38-year old to a one-year deal earlier in the week. Pandolfo is expected to skate on the fourth line, with Daniel Paille moving up to the third line and Rich Peverley taking Lucic’s spot on the top line.

The Bruins blew a 2-1 lead in the third period, giving up three unanswered goals to the Sabres in a 4-2 loss at Buffalo. Seemingly in command while ahead by only one goal thanks to the play of Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30 saves), the Bruins fell apart by allowing three straight goals to Tyler Myers, Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Hodgson. Drew Stafford also scored on Bruins goalie Anton Khudobin, who made 22 saves.

Dougie Hamilton scored his first NHL goal and added an assist on a second-period Rich Peverley goal. David Krejci and Tyler Seguin also had helpers in the losing effort.

Bruins collapse late instead of starting slow: So many times this season, the Bruins have waited until late in the second period or into the third period to put their collective pedal to the medal and turn their game up a notch. A prime example was Tuesday's game against the Rangers, when Boston scored three unanswered goals in the third period to force extra time, before losing 4-3 in the shootout. Friday was the total opposite as the Bruins played a complete game for the first 40 minutes, taking a 2-1 lead into the final frame and then seeming to lay back and let the play come to them. The bottom line? Whether it's a lack of effort to begin or end the game, the Bruins aren't giving their all for three periods lately, and that needs to change.

Miller unfazed by Bruins: Following practice on Thursday, Gregory Campbell told ESPNBoston.com that the Bruins needed to make things more difficult for Ryan Miller. They did that to an extent but not enough for a goalie who, right now, seems to be the only reason his team has any chance of salvaging what has been a horrendous start to the season. Despite the Bruins slipping two past him, Miller remained unfazed. His teammates fed off his play in staging a comeback they desperately needed. If teams are to beat Miller, they need to keep the pressure on him throughout the whole game.

Hamilton looks like a veteran again: Hamilton's power-play goal was a thing of beauty. After a few so-so games, the rookie defenseman looked like a poised veteran rearguard once again. Hamilton started that scoring play and then finished it with a rifle past a screened and out-of-position Miller. Hamilton also had a helper on Peverley's go-ahead goal 2:29 into the second period. The youngster is starting to make a strong case for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

Seguin looks better: Plenty of criticism has been heaved at Tyler Seguin lately, but on Friday, Seguin looked to be skating harder, sacrificing his body more and using his offensive instinct to create chances for the Bruins. A perfect example of that was his assist on Hamilton's goal. Seguin helped move that puck around and was in the right place to make the play happen.

Lucic making his presence felt: Milan Lucic was everywhere in this game. He was getting back in the defensive zone as well as helping the transition out by skating hard down the wing and using his size to push the play. Lucic has admittedly had his periods of inconsistency over the past few seasons, but thus far, he seems to be on a mission and skating hard. With his size and presence, that can mean nothing but good things for the Bruins.

Lines stay the same: Despite some calls from the media and fans to have Seguin with Krejci and Lucic, Julien stuck with the same lines. It wasn't surprising, considering Seguin is struggling at both ends of the ice right now, and keeping him with Patrice Bergeron can only help him settle his game down and get back to basics. Here's what the lineup looked like:

Forwards
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Chris Bourque-Chris Kelly-Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille-Greg Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Dougie Hamilton
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid

Goalies
Anton Khudobin
Tuukka Rask

BOSTON -- Milan Lucic was asked after the Bruins' season-opening 3-1 win over the Rangers Saturday night if the media scrutiny over the physical condition he showed up to training camp in motivated him to play better and silence the critics.

"It is what it is. I don’t want to make too big of a deal about it," Lucic said. “I feel good. I’m just going to go out there and play my game. You guys get to watch from upstairs, and you guys can make your own judgments and opinions about it."

The Lucic we observed Saturday night looked a lot like the dominant power forward the Bruins think he can be. He opened the scoring at 14:14 of the first period with a prototypical Lucic goal, driving to the net and taking a feed from David Krejci. Lucic had his trademark edge and chip on his shoulder (a little too much in the third period, when he was ejected for some not-so-choice words to the Rangers bench with just over five minutes left) and it showed in his overall game.

"The microscope was on him for a long time because he didn’t play (during the lockout) and people thought that maybe he wasn’t in the best of shape," coach Claude Julien said following the game. "There were a lot of question marks on him, but I thought he played a solid game and, not only did he score that goal from driving the net, but physically and everything else. I don’t really have any complaints about anyone on our team tonight, because I thought from top to bottom we were a pretty good hockey club."

Lucic had acknowledged earlier in camp he wasn't where he needed to be mentally or physically, but as the week went on he felt better and, of course, his mental state outside of the rink took a turn for the better with the birth of his first child, a baby girl, Thursday.

"To be perfectly honest, this is the best I’ve felt all week," a smiling Lucic said. "I was a little worried at the start of the week, especially in that Monday practice that we had here. Like I said, I go back to that Tuesday game, and just getting the kinks out, and knowing where you are on the ice again. I remember I tripped on the boards a couple of times. It’s just one of those things.

“As the week went on, it got better. I know it wasn’t much of a day off on Thursday, but I think that had a lot to do with it too, that I just got to sit back and get my mind off hockey on Thursday, and focus on something else. And then Friday, I had a great work day with (assistant coach) Doug Jarvis, just working on some little things that I haven’t really worked on in a bit. I felt good, and I’m hoping to keep it up."

Lucic also said it felt great that Bruins fans were able to put the bitterness of the lockout behind them and pack TD Garden for the season opener.

"It’s in the back of your mind about how they feel, and what’s really going on," he said. "It was great to see that they put everything that happened behind them. I know for myself I don’t even like talking about it anymore. It’s great to see that’s it over and done with, and they’re excited for hockey, they’re excited to see us play, and as a player and as a team, we just want to go out there and play for them, and put the best product on the ice."

That's what Lucic did for the fans and his team Saturday. If he keeps it up, the words “lockout” and “CBA” and even "out of shape" will become distant memories.

WILMINGTON, Mass -- Bruins winger Milan Lucic was not present at Bruins practice Thursday for what head coach Claude Julien termed "personal reasons.” It should be noted that Lucic and his wife are expecting their first child later in January, but no word on whether the Bruins had a new dad on their roster. Unfortunately for Lucic though, the talk surrounding him hasn't been so joyous so far in camp. Ever since a local news reporter tweeted a picture of Lucic catching his breath at an informal players skate last week, media and fans alike have criticized Lucic for supposedly not coming to camp in shape. When asked about the performance of Lucic thus far though, Julien joked a bit and then came to defense of Lucic.

"He was great today," Julien quipped before coming to the defense of the suddenly maligned winger. "I don't know why we bring 'Luch' up because he's no different than anyone else. He's a big body that is working hard to get himself into game shape and as I mentioned before, it's a lot tougher for bigger bodies than it is for smaller ones. But he's like a lot of guys are right now in trying to find their way and their game. All I've asked of those guys is to work hard and work through it and that's what they're doing."

As Julien pointed out, not only is Lucic in the same boat with some of his teammates, but also plenty of players in the NHL as they all prepare for their season openers Saturday and Sunday.

"It's normal and I think if we were to watch every other team, they're all going through the same thing," Julien said. "It's a process of going through a quick six-day raining camp and we're all stuck between a rock and a hard place. As far as if you don't do it, then you can't find your game. Maybe they're tired, but then they gotta find ways to rest themselves a bit. They're not overly tired -- I've talked to a lot of guys -- but you can feel it because they're not used to this kind of pace. But we'll get through it and like every other team, we just have to show some character, battle through it and stay positive."

Notes

-- Julien said that there was a chance some cuts could be made as early as Thursday afternoon but a final roster for the season opener wouldn't be finalized most likely until Saturday.

-- Jordan Caron -- who has been out of the Providence lineup with an upper body injury -- was in Wilmington and skated with Bruins conditioning guru Johnny Whitesides before practice.

-- With Lucic out, Jay Pandolfo got a whirl on the top line with David Krejci and Nathan Horton. Here's what the lineup looked like Thursday:

Forwards
Jay Pandolfo -- David Krejci -- Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Tyler Seguin
Chris Bourque -- Chris Kelly -- Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille -- Gregory Campbell -- Shawn Thornton
Lane MacDermid -- Ryan Spooner -- Jamie Tardiff

Defense
Zdeno Chara - Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg -- Dougie Hamilton
Andrew Ference -- Adam McQuaid
Matt Bartkowski -- David Warsofsky

Goalies
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin

As part of our preview heading into the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, we've asked Joe McDonald and James Murphy to answer nine big questions (one per day) facing the Boston Bruins. Here's our Day 8 question:

What are your point predictions for the following: David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Dougie Hamilton?

Joe McDonald: Nathan Horton, David Krejci and Milan Lucic are all talented players with different, but complimentary skill sets.

It’s going to be interesting to watch the team’s top line produce in the lockout-shortened, 48-game season because it will be a sprint to the playoffs. First and foremost, in order for that line to produce, it will need to stay healthy. Krejci was the only one of the three to play overseas during the lockout, while Lucic and Horton remained in North America.

Krejci has the ability to dominate when it counts, so he should thrive in a shorter season. Look for him to notch 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points.

Horton hasn’t played in a NHL game since Jan. 22, 2012 after he suffered his second concussion in a seven-month span. He’s completely healthy now and in great shape. He hasn’t avoided contact during training camp and looks strong on the ice. He may get off to a slow start, but once he gets going he could easily score 19 goals, add 17 assists for 36 points.

Despite some early talk that Lucic is out of shape, the power forward is ready for the season. Since he did not play during the lockout, it will take him a bit more time to shake the rust off his game and that could hurt his offensive production from a statistical standpoint. He’ll finish the season with 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points.

Now let’s focus on rookie defenseman Dougie Hamilton. The 19-year-old blueliner will make the team and will be given every opportunity to succeed. During training camp, Bruins coach Claude Julien has the rookie paired with veteran Dennis Seidenberg. The pair is not set in stone, but Hamilton should get plenty of ice time once he gets used to the speed of the NHL game. He’s also been working on the second power-play unit which should give him a chance to produce on offense.

I actually picked Hamilton as my Calder Trophy winner as the league’s top rookie. While his goals (two), assists (15) and points (17) may not be eye-popping, I see an impressive plus-20 rating at the end of the season.

James Murphy: Here are my predictions for Krejci, Horton, Lucic and Hamilton:

Krejci: With his three-year contract that will pay him $5.2 million set to begin this season, and his name still a regular on the trade rumor circuit, one could say the pressure is on Krejci to produce. Since the 2008-09 season when he had 73 points, Krejci has had some inconsistent stretches and never become the 80-point player that many believe he can be. It obviously has to be noted that he was an absolute beast in the 2011 Stanley Cup run with 23 points in 25 games, but still, Krejci has yet to take that next step over the course of a full regular season. With a 48-game season upon us, we won't really be able to tell if that will happen, but expect Krejci to still put up some solid numbers this season. Maybe t pressure of the rumors, his contract and the short season, will be motivation for him to perform at the same level he did in the 2011 playoffs? Prediction: 15 goals, 31 assists -- 46 points

Horton: In 46 games last season -- albeit while still recovering from the concussion he suffered in the 2011 finals -- Horton had 17 goals and 32 points. Now, with a 48-game season, but a longer recovery period from the concussion he suffered last season in January, the belief here is that if healthy, Horton can be better than that. Horton is in top shape at camp and his timing appears to be there. The big test will be that first huge hit he takes in a real game and how the condensed schedule affects his durability. But if he passes those tests, Horton should be able to get back to being the power forward that helped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011. Prediction: 22 goals, 15 assists -- 37 points

Lucic: Lucic is another player that comes to camp armed with a new contract, though his begins next season. Still, the fact that the Bruins gave him $6 million per season for the three seasons after this one will put extra pressure on a player that has been inconsistent at times -- most notably in the playoffs the last two seasons. Factor in that there was plenty of buzz recently about Lucic not being in game-shape and the rugged winger could be in for a season full of scrutiny. But that being said, Lucic has delivered in both of the last two regular seasons with 30 and 26 goal seasons respectively so we know he can perform. I'd expect a slow start from Lucic based on the fact that he didn’t play at all during the locktout, but I think he'll get stronger as the season goes on, and hopefully for the Bruins he peaks in the playoffs. Prediction: 15 goals, 13 assists – 28 points

Hamilton: Hamilton enters his rookie season with plenty of hype and high expectations. The 2011 No. 9 overall pick has the potential to be a superstar defenseman with his 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame, and his puck-moving skills. But the question really is how will he handle the rigors of the NHL. Can he adjust to the speed of the NHL? Will a shortened 48-game season help or hurt him in that area? I believe if the Bruins approach his development the way they seem to be in camp and continue to pair him with a solid veteran like Dennis Seidenberg, Hamilton should handle the transition well and have a solid season. I also believe he will become an important part of the power play, an area the Bruins desperately need help in. Prediction: 4 goals, 14 assists -- 18 points

WILMINGTON, Mass. -- Last week when a group of Bruins players were practicing at Boston University waiting for the lockout to officially end, a local sports TV anchor tweeted a picture of Milan Lucic down on one knee, catching his breath, with the following caption:

Milan Lucic clearly not in hockey shape. Extended water breaks & took a knee to catch breath many times

That tweet sparked chatter on the Internet and around the NHL that the rugged Bruins winger was out of shape and not ready to jump into action in the 48-game season set to start Saturday against the Rangers. But over the course of his NHL career, particularly in the wake of the increased media scrutiny following the Bruins' Stanley Cup win in 2011, Lucic has grown accustomed to rumors and ridicule and learned how to shrug them off.

“People are going to say whatever they want and it’s just something with me to prove them wrong and go out and play the way that I know that I can,” Lucic said Monday following practice. “People are going to say these types of things all the time. That’s one of the things that comes with being an athlete. Not everyone is going to like you and say what you like, so you need to be thick-skinned. As you get older, you learn to do that more and brush it off as best you can.”

As for where Lucic stands physically as the Bruins enter their third day of training camp Tuesday, he says he is approaching game shape thanks to his 13 teammates who played overseas during the lockout.

“I feel like the week of practice with the guys before camp really helped me a lot and I feel like I am getting back to game shape,” Lucic said. “It really helps with guys like Tyler [Seguin], [David Krejci] and [Zdeno Chara] and all the other guys that have been playing overseas because I am forced to keep up the speed with them. I’m following their lead right now, but I think I am finally catching up to where I need to be. But those guys are helping me push harder and get myself ready for the start of the season. If I’m not there for whatever reason and can’t play my usual minutes, then I am on board for whatever Coach wants me to do.”

Lucic realizes how important it will be for him and his teammates to be ready for the rigors of the shortened season.

“You go through an 82-game season and you lose a few games in October or November, even December, and you kind of shrug it off and don’t really think about it,” Lucic said. “But if that happens now in this season, you’re in big trouble. We’re probably going to appreciate more what NFL players go through where every game counts so much. We need to get off to a good start and not let up. There’s no time for lulls.”