The Boston Bruins have already punched their ticket to the 2011 postseason. On Saturday afternoon, they can lock up the Northeast Division title with a win against the Atlanta Thrashers at 1 p.m. EDT (TV/Radio: NESN/WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub).
Boston (43-23-11), which has 97 points on the season, had a chance to clinch the division on Thursday, but lost to Toronto, 4-3, in a shootout. The B's are an even 5-5 in their last ten games, but have won four of their last six games. The Thrashers lead the season series 4-2 against the Bruins.
Milan Lucic continues to pace the Bruins, leading the team in goals (30). David Krejci leads Boston in points, totaling 61, and also leads the team in assists with 58. Zdeno Chara paces the team in plus/minus, posting a plus-32.
Atlanta (33-32-12) is fourth in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. The Thrashers have also been inconsistent in their last ten games, going 5-5.
Andrew Ladd leads the Thrashers in scoring (27 goals) and points (55). Tobias Enstrom is the team's leader in assists with 41. Former Bruin Blake Wheeler leads Atlanta in plus/minus, posting a plus-9.
On the injury front, Chara is listed as probable for the Bruins with an undisclosed injury while Shawn Thornton is doubtful with a lacerated forehead. For the Thrashers, Radek Dvorak is out with an upper body injury.
Boston heads to New York City to take on the New York Rangers in its next game on Monday night. Atlanta also heads out on the road to face the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.