Marchand (upper body) will not play vs. Canadiens

MONTREALSo Brad Marchand will miss tonight's game against Montreal with an upper body injury after all.

The Nose Face Killah wasnt on the ice for the Bruins during morning skate at the Bell Centre after tumbling awkwardly into the boards last weekend in Toronto, and coach Claude Julien confirmed after practice that he will not play against the Canadiens.

Thats a big blow for the Bruins as Marchand has been dynamite for the Black and Gold in the early going, and leads Boston with five goals scored through the first two plus weeks of the abbreviated regular season.

"He won't play tonight,' said Julien. "But he's doing well. We'll hold him back and we'll keep our fingers crossed that he's in next game. He's that close. It's just a matter of days here. It's not as serious as most injuries, but -- as I've said a million times -- we're being extra cautious early in the season."

Marchand did practice with usual linemates Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin on Tuesday at the Bell Centre, but Gregory Campbell had taken his place on that line at morning skate.

Ryan Spooner was skating with Jamie Tardif and Lane MacDermid on the Bruins fourth linean interesting spot for the 21-year-old Spooner as hes widely regarded as a top-six skill player.

The rest of the lines and pairings are as expected and Tuukka Rask is expected to get his eighth start in nine regular season games played by Boston this season.