Bruins and Islanders pre-game notes

The Boston Bruins are on Long Island to play the New York Islanders tonight. Boston comes in on fire, going 8-1-1 over their last 10 games.

I just got a text message that said it looks like Tim Thomas and Dwayne Roloson will start in goal tonight for the Bruins & Islanders respectively.

Thomas last played eight days ago, when he let up five goals in two periods and was pulled in favor of Tuukka Rask. Thomas has been said to be still fighting to get over his hand injury suffered last month.

The word from Long Island is that Boston will dress Byron Bitz and Dennis Wideman tonight. The healthy scratch looks like it will be Matt Hunwick, who will be scratched for the second time in three games. Hunwick looks like he may have lost his spot to John Boychuck; maybe for good.

The Islanders lost forwards will be without Sean Bergenheim tonight with a shoulder injury and Tim Jackman with a hip injury. They do expect to have defenseman Andy Sutton back in the lineup tonight. Sutton has been out with a groin injury.

Other Notes:

*According to the Boston Bruins, Peter Chiarelli is in Ontario, scouting junior prospects for the NHL draft in June. The Bruins have the first round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the moment, and the Leafs currently own the second worst record in the league.

*According to one of my sources, who has spoken with Milan Lucic, he said that Lucic is feeling better every day. He said a possible return for Lucic could come when the Bruins go on their Florida trip, on Dec. 27 and 28. Lucic was expected to be out 4-6 weeks with his most recent injury. Four weeks would be December 23, so this scenario does make a lot of sense.