BOSTON -- Losing center David Krejci to H1N1 was the last thing the Bruins needed in the aftermath of back-to-back shutout losses.

But that's the reality now for the offense-challenged 6-7-1 club that will take the ice against Montreal tonight at TD Garden. Defenseman Derek Morris thinks he has the solution for his club's scoring woes.

"I think what we're doing right now, we're maybe giving up eight scoring chances a game, which is pretty good," he said after the team's morning skate. "But we're only getting eight. We're playing well, but we're not creating enough scoring chances, so I think when we get over that blue line we've got to be thinking we're going to get that puck to the net. Whether it's on a three-on-one or a three-on-three, let's get it down there and get it to the net. Then we'll get that odd goal that will bounce in.

"And we've got to get a little more speed through the neutral zone. We're doing such a nice job of breaking out that I think we're slowing ourselves down in the neutral zone. I think we're just got to speed that up a little bit, get it in and get a few more to the net."

While Morris and his teammates will have to take care of the physical aspect of breaking out of their current slump, Bruins coach Claude Julien thinks he might've provided his team a psychological boost by granting a day off Wednesday on the heels of the consecutive road losses at New York and Detroit.

"That is the intent of that. I think some of it is that we haven't had a day off in a long time. If you want to have good results, you have to have energy, so we needed the rest," Julien said. "At the same time, I think the mental break away from the rink and everything else will maybe take the focus and the pressure off of that."

Reinforcements here

With Krejci exiting the lineup, the Bruins summoned Mikko Lehtonen from Providence (AHL). The 6-foot-5, 203-pound winger has scored three goals in 11 games for the Providence Bruins so far and could be a boost for the offense.

"He has a big body, skates well, has skill, and maybe he can help us produce a little up front," Julien said.

The Bruins hope that Lehtonen's appearance doesn't have the same effect as last season, when Lehtonen was called up for a one-game cameo in Buffaloon April 11 and the team lost, 6-1 -- the largest margin of defeat of the season.

Goaltender matchup

The Bruins are scheduled to start Tim Thomas in net, while Montreal will counter with Carey Price (just 2-6-0 with a 3.63 goals-against average). Price was 1-2-2 with a 3.46 GAA against Boston last season. The move is curious because Jaroslav Halak has won five of his past six outings and Price played Tuesday in a loss to Atlanta. ... The Habs come in with three of their projected top six defensemen (Andrei Markov, Ryan O'Byrne and Hal Gill) out with injuries. So don't expect any sympathy for the Bruins from their hated rivals.

"Throughout the league I think there's a league-wide injury plague," said former Bruins defenseman Paul Mara, a Belmont, Mass., native now skating for the Habs. "You battle through it. It's part of the game. And once you get those players back, it's a stronger push. We've got to stay consistent, play hard, and it gives other guys a chance to step up and play."

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