Savvy Skates as B's Prepare for LA

It was a reassuring sight for Bruins fans this weekend as star center Marc Savard began skating with the team again. When talking to reporters, Savard reiterated that he still has a lot of work to do in order to get himself back up to game speed so that he can play at a high level once again. Still, seeing one of their emotional and physical leaders getting back to par with the rest of the squad is a promising development, even if it means that Peter Chiarelli will need to decide on a roster solution in the near future.

In order for Savard to return to the B's lineup, Chiarelli will need to either demote a nearly equivalent salary to the minors or make a trade to relieve some cap space. The names that continue to arise are Wheeler, Ryder, and Hunwick. Back in the offseason, Ryder was on the hot seat coming off a terrible 2009-10 campaign. But is letting him go even a reasonable option anymore, given that he has notched 5 goals and 6 assists for an impressive 11 points? Wheeler only has 3 goals and 2 assists, but his play hasn't been bad either. It will definitely be a difficult decision for the Bruins to make, and that decision will come up again once Marco Sturm is ready to return. For now, though, their sights are set on the Los Angeles Kings.

Personally, my preseason Stanley Cup finals prediction was the Bruins and Kings. We'll get a taste of the western conference contenders tonight at the Garden as this LA squad -- losers of three straight -- travels to town to square off with a Boston squad who has won three straight. Milan Lucic buried a natural hat trick on Thursday in a big win over the Florida Panthers, and he will look to continue his torrid streak tonight. No word yet on which goaltender will get the start for Boston, but Tuukka Rask is coming off a 41-save shutout for his first win of the year. If this guy gets hot like he did last season, is there a scarier duo in the league? Did I mention that Tim Thomas is 10-1 with a .959 saves percentage? Even at 1-4-1, Rask has a steller .939 saves percentage. Goaltending: check.

We'll see if the offense keeps coming for the B's, who can inch closer to the top of the eastern conference with another win tonight at TD Garden. To find the best last minute deals to catch your Bruins and Celtics at the Garden as well as other hot events around Beantown, make sure to join our friends over at TixList.com and get the daily email listings.