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BOSTON -- When Bruins forward Rich Peverley arrived Tuesday morning for practice at TD Garden, he found a green sweater hanging in his locker, meaning he wasn’t skating with one of the top four lines.

Based on the Bruins’ practice, it would appear as though Peverley will be a healthy scratch -- along with Jay Pandolfo and Carl Soderberg -- for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Bruins coach Claude Julien said not to make any assumptions.

“That doesn’t mean that’s my lineup, just so you guys know,” Julien said. “I put some lines together today, but my lineup has not been done yet and it will only get finalized tomorrow. I want everybody ready and that’s the way it is right now. We have line combinations today, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the way it’s going to be.”

Peverley, who has only six goals and 12 assists for 18 points, including a minus-9 rating in 47 games this season, was one of the last players on the ice after practice and said he understands the situation if he’s watching from press level.

“It’s coach’s decision and if that’s what he chooses for [Wednesday] then it’s what’s best for the team, and if that’s me out of the lineup and we win, it’s great.

“If that’s what happens you take it as motivation, but at the same time you just really want to do what’s best for the team. If I have to go out and practice hard and make our guys better then I’ll do that.”

When the Bruins acquired Peverley from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for forward Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart on Feb. 18, 2011, Boston received the type of veteran presence it needed on the team’s third line. Peverley, Chris Kelly (also acquired at the trade deadline in ’11) and Michael Ryder played a big role in the Bruins’ Stanley Cup run.

Peverley had four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 25 playoff games to help the Bruins hoist the Cup.

In the 2011-2012 postseason, the Washington Capitals ousted the Bruins in the first round, but again, Peverley played well and posted three goals and two assists for five points.

Peverely, whose three-year, $9.75 million extension – signed after 2011 – started this year, struggled much of the season.

“I would probably say disappointing,” he said. “I tried to end the year on a good note. You evaluate your own game and I’ve thought about it a lot the last couple of days. It’s disappointing and not what I expected, which is very unfortunate but it’s a new season and hopefully things go well from here.”

Peverley missed only one game this season when he was a healthy scratch on March 21 at Ottawa.

“There’s no doubt, when he looks at his stats, it’s disappointing,” Julien said. “We all know that Pevs is a better player than he’s shown, but he’s right, I think he’s been getting better lately and skating a lot better than he has all year. I think his stats are a little disappointing for him, but we’ve seen how good a player he can be, we certainly have hopes in him being a good player for us in the playoffs.”

If Bruins’ lineup for Game 1 does not include Peverley, it appears the team’s third line will consist of Jaromir Jagr, Kelly and Kaspars Daugavins. But given Peverley’s playoff experience and success, he says he’ll be ready if given the opportunity.

“I definitely feel like I’m energized going into the playoffs and I’m looking forward to it,” Peverley said. “It’s something that after you have a not adequate season you want to go forward and play well.

“I’ve always tried to play well in the playoffs in the past and it’s something I take a lot of pride in. To be able to play well in the playoffs is something you really want to hang your hat on and hopefully we can do that here.”

Bruins center David Krejci is back in the lineup Thursday night vs. the Senators.

Krejci had been termed a game-time decision after rejoining linemates Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton at Thursday morning's skate. The Bruins announced Krejci's return via Twitter shortly before the puck dropped in Ottawa.

Krejci missed Tuesday's loss to Winnipeg after a puck struck his right knee in the third period of Boston's 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Also, in a surprising move by head coach Claude Julien, Rich Peverley was a healthy scratch. That gave Ottawa native and rookie Ryan Spooner a chance to play his first NHL game in his hometown.

BOSTON -- Bruins head coach Claude Julien indicated to the media Thursday following his team’s game day skate that there very well could be some lineup changes when his team hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night. He wasn’t lying as within two hours, the Bruins announced that they have waived forward Chris Bourque who along with his linemates Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley, has struggled on the third line.

Waiving Bourque likey means that Jay Pandolfo or Daniel Paille will slot in on the left wing of that line, as Julien tries to jumpstart a until that brought depth and scoring last season when Kelly (20 goals), Peverley (11 goals) and former Bruin Benoit Pouliot (17 goals) combined for 48 goals. This season Peverley (3), Bourque (1) and Kelly (1) have combined for just 5 goals.

As Peverley (prior to Bourque being waived) pointed out after the skate Thursday though, it wasn’t necessarily Bourque that was the anchor preventing him and Kelly from setting sail.

“He’s stepping in for a guy that scored 17 goals last year so … and even for a guy like ‘Kells’ [Kelly] him and I had decent numbers. But sometimes chemistry doesn’t start right off the hop,” said Peverley. “It’s simplifying the game and that will really help.”

Julien called out the trio following the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Capitals on Tuesday, which saw the Bruins blow a 3-0 lead.

“Absolutely he’s right,” Peverley said. “We’ve heard that for a few games now. We’re working and I think we still gotta be a lot better. If we can get one then everybody’s confidence gets up. I think we’ll be alright but I think right now it’s just that we need to really work hard and play a simple game and hopefully everything will come.”

Kelly and Peverley pride themselves on a solid defensive game which they can then translate into offensive chances. But lately, Peverley feels that maybe there has been too much of an emphasis on the defensive side and as a result some missed opportunities offensively.

“I felt like we were trying to pride ourselves so much on defense and being good defensively that we ended up shorting ourselves offensively,” Peverley said. “We weren’t getting that many chances and I think now we’re on for a lot of goals against the past couple of games, that burns as a line and that sucks. I hate that. So we just have to put our heads down and keep working hard and like I said, I think we gotta simplify our game.”

Julien was asked again about the third line Thursday and said that there needs to be more commitment there.

“I think it’s both. I think they’ve struggled in both ends is my assessment on that,” Julien said. “Whether they spend more time in the offensive zone, that will certainly help the defensive game, and if they score that will help their offensive game. It kind of makes sense in a way. Right now, they’ve just got to go out there and play and do the things that they have to do. There’s certain things that we see from them that needs a little bit more commitment in those small areas to make it happen. That’s what we’ve been kind of showing those guys.”

BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to six games with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.

Brad Marchand scored a power-play goal at 17:44 of the third period for the game winner. Boston's Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley also scored in the win. Bruins goaltender Anton Khudobin made 20 saves.

Boston's power play provided two goals against the Lightning, which were the first two at the Garden this season. On the team's recent road trip, the PP converted on three of 11 opportunities on the man-advantage, but the Bruins entered Saturday's game 0-for-27 on home ice.

"It moved a lot better," said Bruins coach Claude Julien. "We made some better decisions. We were shooting pucks, so it was one of those nights when it was better. It has been better lately, as well. On the road trip, we had a pretty decent power play on the road trip, but we hadn't scored at home, yet, so it was nice to get a couple. It's a work in progress. We'll keep working at it, trying to make it better and tonight it got us a winner."

As good as the Bruins' penalty-killing unit has been all season, Tampa capitalized on a pair of power-play goals in the first period to take a 2-0 lead.

Steven Stamkos scored an impressive goal to give Tampa a 1-0 lead at 5:32 of the first period. He was on the goal line to the right of Khudobin when the skilled center unleashed a one-timer for the top-shelf tally.

It was Stamkos' 15th goal of the season, and he now has a nine-game point streak. Before the game, Bruins coach Claude Julien discussed Tampa's superstar.

"He's got such a one-timer and, not just that, he's really dangerous in those situations when they find a seam on their power play or even five-on-five," Julien said. "Him standing there on a one-timer, it becomes extremely dangerous for the opposing team.

"I think he's matured very well, as far as being a complete player. I can see a lot of leadership qualities in him. I can also see a guy who competes hard in all the other areas. He's not afraid to go into traffic. He's getting stronger on the puck everywhere. He's turning into a real elite player and has developed the way you'd want a young player to develop."

Tampa took a 2-0 lead on Alexander Killorn's power-play goal at 8:38 of the first period. It was the first time the Bruins have allowed two power-play goals in a game since the Pittsburgh Penguins notched a pair on April 3, 2012.

The Bruins entered Saturday's game without a power-play goal in 27 chances on home ice this season. Finally, that changed when Seguin scored on a one-timer from the bottom of the left faceoff circle at 3:22 of the second period.

"It definitely felt good," Seguin said. "I don't think I've really celebrated before in my life like I did on that one. It's definitely getting the monkey off the back a little bit."

Boston tied the game at 2-2 when Peverley scored on another one-timer, the end result of a solid tape-to-tape pass from defenseman Adam McQuaid at 4:39 of the second period.

In the waning minutes of the second, Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference was given a four-minute double-minor penalty for high sticking. Fortunately for Boston, the PK did its job and the period ended with the game still in a stalemate.

After the Bruins killed off Dougie Hamilton's penalty for holding the stick at 10:46 of the third period, Boston went on the power play and Marchand scored his 11th of the season en route to the win.

"We've had a lot of two-on-ones together, so we know where we're going," said Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, who assisted on the goal. "I was looking at [Tampa goalie Mathieu] Garon and I felt he was on my side a lot, cheating on my side for the shot, so I held the pass a little bit to make it a little easier for Marchy to shoot it."

BACK ME UP: Khudobin has played a total of five games for the Bruins the past two seasons, and Saturday was his first game at the Garden. With Tuukka Rask the No. 1 goalie in Boston and playing the majority of the games during this condensed schedule, Khudobin has accepted his role as the team's backup.

"If he wants to play here, he's got to adapt. We're not going to adapt to him. He adapts to us, and it's as simple as that," Julien said. "Goaltenders have a tough job, and sometimes, some play more than others. And Tuukka's had to adapt to Tim [Thomas], and now Dobby's got to adapt to Tuukka and then to our philosophy, and I don't see any issue."

After the Bruins erased a two-goal deficit to tie the game at 2-2, Boston's Jay Pandolfo was called for charging at 9:28 of the second period. Tampa produced sustained pressure during the power play, but Khudobin made four timely saves to stifle the Lightning's attack. He finished with 20 saves and improves to 3-1-0 in four games this season.

"He was good for us tonight," Julien said. "For a guy who hasn't played much, maybe at first he was trying to feel his way through, but he got better and better as the game went on. We were really happy with his performance. Our team is going to play the same way no matter who's there and we have confidence in both those guys."

WHISTLE BLOWER: It was evident the referees were calling a tight game, so during the first intermission the Bruins talked about the importance of staying out of the box.

"We can't control the refs and we're not going to complain about the refs," Milan Lucic said. "We're just going to go out there and play our game."

When Marchand scored the game-winning power-play goal at 17:44, Tampa's Brendan Mikkelson was in the box for a double minor when he caught Lucic with a high stick. Lucic was cut and clearly upset and after the game explained his anger.

"Well, one of their players made a comment about me diving and I didn't like that all," Lucic said. "He knows who he is and I'm glad we were able to beat him where it hurts the most."

MARCHY'S MARCH: Entering this lockout-shortened season, Marchand was one of only a few Bruins players not to play overseas during the work stoppage. Once the 48-game schedule began on Jan. 19, some questioned whether Marchand would be ready and productive. Well, he's proving a lot of people wrong. His game-winner on Saturday was his 11th goal in 17 games (he missed one game with an upper-body injury). He now has four goals and two assists in his last six games, and all four goals have been game-winners.

"He's got some good linemates, but at the same time he's got a quick release," Julien said. "He's got a good shot and he utilizes it. He's Johnny on the Spot, if we can put it that way because when we need a big goal, he's seems to be able to find it. He's a clutch player and the type of player you like to have on your team."

What's even more impressive is the fact Marchand has scored 11 times on only 34 shots this season and he leads the league in that category. In fact, Julien has told Marchand to shoot the puck more this season.

"Yeah, he's always kind of talked to me about shooting more," admitted Marchand. "There are times when I'm going in, I'm looking for different plays when the right play is to shoot. Anytime you get a puck on net, you got an opportunity to score. That's how they try to instill that in our minds."

SCRATCHED: Bruins veteran forward Shawn Thornton was a healthy scratch. He missed two games earlier this season with a concussion, but Saturday was the first time he has been a healthy scratch in 2013. Instead, veteran forward Jay Pandolfo was in the lineup. During Thursday's 2-1 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, Thornton played 7:01. On Saturday, Pandolfo played the right side with Gregory Campbell in the middle and Chris Bourque on the left. Boston's third line consisted of Daniel Paille, Chris Kelly and Peverley.

After Saturday's win, Julien explained his decision to move Paille up to the third line, and to sit Thornton.

"Danny's a good skater. He forechecks well and he's a former first-round pick and a pretty good hockey player, Julien said. "He's a guy who's capable of moving up and playing in those kind of spots. Tonight was one of those situations when you take a guy like Thorny out you do lose some toughness, but we got other guys who can do the job. What we were trying to do was get a balance there with [Paille] on the third line, it allowed me to play any one of those three lines against their top two."

DROP 'EM: With Thornton out of the lineup, Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid stepped up and dropped the gloves with the Lightning's Pierre-Cedric Labrie at 8:57 of the first period. It was a spirited bout with both players landing punches.

In the second period, just after Boston tied the game, Campbell and Tampa's B.J. Crombeen went toe-to-toe at 4:44.

The Bruins have a 36-13-2 record in the last two seasons when they are assessed a fighting major in a game.

UP NEXT: It's a quick turnaround for the Bruins. Boston will host the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Garden. In their only other meeting this season, the Bruins beat the Habs 2-1 on Feb. 6 at Bell Centre.

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 -- Last season, the Bruins’ normal third line of Benoit Pouliot, Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley combined for 46 goals, with Kelly leading the way with 20 lamplighters. It was welcome scoring depth for the Bruins, as the line depended on for their defensive play gave opponents another threat to worry about. But with Pouliot traded to Tampa Bay in the offseason and Chris Bourque now on the left wing and still trying to find his way, the third line has yet to find its stride offensively. Kelly hasn’t scored yet, and Peverley and Bourque have just one goal each.

But while the trio is trying to kickstart their offense, Kelly believes they’re at least getting better at what they’re counted on for, and that’s keeping the other team off the scoreboard.

“Our line was to contribute more offensively and I think we’re getting better with generating more time in the offensive zone,” Kelly said. “I think we’ve been pretty good in our own end. The offense will come, but when it’s not there, you need to do other things throughout the game that helps the team. Right now, I think we’re doing those little things that are helping the team.”

Kelly acknowledged, though, that just like the media and fans, he and his linemates expected to generate more offense by now. But they said they must be careful not to force it at the expense of letting up on their defensive game.

“It’s a fine line not pushing it and not getting away from our game," said Kelly. "I think we’re a defense-first team and especially our line is too. We don’t want to give up on our defensive part of the game to cheat to get some offense. When you’re not contributing like you have in the past, the tendency is to do that. But at the end of the day, that doesn’t help the team.”

Coach Claude Julien didn’t seem too worried about his third line, and pointed out that players are still shaking off rust after the lockout.

“They started with a new player again, and Chris [Bourque], as you know, has been feeling his way through,” Julien said. “Also, ‘Kells’ [Kelly] probably hasn’t had the start he had last year. He had a really good start last year where he scored a lot, and that’ll come. I think you look at how that line is getting more chances now, and Peverley’s getting some really good looks, and I think it’s just a matter of time before that line starts to produce. There’s lines that will start producing a little bit more, and we’ll be a better team down the road, but there’s still some guys that aren’t at the peak of their game, and that can be said about every player on every team in the league, around the league. Not everybody’s going at 100 percent yet.”

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Boston Bruins held an optional workout at the Toyota Center on Saturday morning in advance of their tilt with the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center and after the workout coach Claude Julien said that forward Rich Peverley -- out since Feb.17 with a knee injury -- will take warm-ups prior to the game but won’t play. However, he did not rule out Peverley from returning to the lineup Sunday at Anaheim.

“The decision has been made that he’s not going to play tonight but the decision hasn’t been made either way for the next game but if he doesn’t it allows him three more days,” Julien said. “But he’s feeling good enough and I want him to be around the team and warm-up will be good for him tonight. But again, I haven’t been told by our medical people that he’s been cleared yet. That hasn’t happened but he’s feeling good.”

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Rich Peverley practiced with his Boston Bruins teammates again Friday afternoon at the Toyota Center Ice Complex and all signs point to his return to the lineup sooner rather than later. While Peverley and coach Claude Julien still couldn’t pinpoint when it may be, they sounded very optimistic addressing the media after practice.

“It’s day-to-day and I just can’t tell you because that’s how we’re treating it with the trainers,” Peverley said. “It’s just getting the feel of getting your feet underneath you and the timing … and moving your feet when you’re not used to and just getting that game feeling.”

Julien seems to believe that Peverley has turned another corner after taking part in some physical drills down low Friday.

“He’s looking good; better every day,” Julien said. “I like what I saw on that 3-on-3 down low there today. That was a real good test for him. Those tight turns down low, the contact and everything else. So he’s starting to feel pretty good and he’s getting closer, there’s no doubt and we’ll see him in our lineup pretty soon.”

The fact that Peverley made this three-stop California trip -- San Jose Thursday, Los Angeles Saturday and Anaheim Sunday -- has helped accelerate his recovery and his reintegration into the team both on and off the ice.

“It’s been good to be able to get back practicing and doing regular drills with the guys,” Peverley said. “In my opinion it would’ve been useless to stay home because I wouldn’t get to practice with anybody. It’s better to be with the guys and get that feeling back playing with them and being around them. When you’re injured, you’re still part of the team but you’re not around every day and not around the guys every day so it’s different. But now it’s good being here.”

Only a handful of Bruins participated in an optional skate Tuesday at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, Mass., but one of them was forward Rich Peverley, who coach Claude Julien said will be with the team when it travels out west for a three-game road trip.

Peverley has been out since mid-February with a knee injury.

Fellow forward Nathan Horton, who is continuing to deal with concussion symptoms, will not make the trip. Julien said there's nothing new on his condition and that he continues to work out off the ice.

Julien said he hopes the Bruins can ride the momentum that seems to be building after an 8-0 drubbing of the Maple Leafs on Monday.

"I think it's just maintaining what we've done here for the last couple games," Julien told reporters. "Our last road trip wasn't a very good one. We certainly have to get better on this one. If you look at the teams we're playing right now, the team, to me, that's playing the best is Anaheim, who's out of the playoffs. The other two [San Jose and Los Angeles] are right there knocking on the door. We're going into a territory where there's a lot of desperation. We're going to have some good challenges."

(Editor's note: Third in a week-long report card series on the Stanley Cup champion Bruins.)

BOSTON -- If all goes according to pregame warmups, Tyler Seguin will be back on the right wing of the third line with Chris Kelly at center and Michael Ryder on the left wing.

Seguin seemed to blend well with Ryder in his first two playoff games, but then went without a point in his last seven games, winding up on the fourth line before he was scratched in Game 3 in favor of Shawn Thornton.

Meanwhile, Rich Peverley looks like he will take Nathan Horton’s spot on the top line. Here’s what the forward lines looked like in warmups for Game 4:

Milan Lucic – David Krejci – Rich Peverley
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Mark Recchi
Michael Ryder – Chris Kelly – Tyler Seguin
Daniel Paille – Gregory Campbell – Shawn Thornton

MONTREAL -- In order for teams to advance deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs, its top players generally need to be at their best. While the line of Mark Recchi, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand has been solid for the Bruins, it was Michael Ryder, Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly who all proved crucial in Boston’s 5-4 overtime win in Game 4.

Ryder pumped in the game-winning goal at 1:59 of overtime, and scored Boston’s first goal, an absolute sniper shot at 2:13 of the second period. He also assisted on Kelly’s tying goal at 13:42 of the third period.

Kelly, who needed to wear a full cage to protect a facial injury he suffered in Game 3 Monday night, also had a pair of assists, while Peverley chipped in two assists.

BOSTON -- The Bruins did not practice Sunday morning before traveling to Montreal, but some players were around the dressing room at TD Garden.

Bruins forwards Milan Lucic, Rich Peverley and David Krejci, along with defenseman Adam McQuaid were on hand to discuss the state of the team.

“Playoffs is a pretty intense time,” Peverley said. “Today is just to clear your mind and start working toward tomorrow, today and just relax. You can’t be too intense or too focused yet. We have to go into tomorrow and be ready.”