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Bruins hope to debut new acquisitions vs. Coyotes

Mar 5, 2009 - 11:14 AM Phoenix (27-31-5) at Boston (42-13-9) 7:00 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins hope a couple of new pieces can solidify the team's standing atop the Eastern Conference.

The Bruins could have defenseman Steve Montador and forward Mark Recchi in the lineup Thursday when they host the Phoenix Coyotes.

Boston set a torrid pace to start the season, going 34-5-3 in its first 42 games to surge into first place in the East. However, the Bruins are 3-5-3 during their last 11 games as their lead atop the standings has shrunk to six points over the New Jersey Devils (42-19-3).

Determined to halt its slide permanently, Boston was active ahead of Wednesday's trade deadline, dealing center Petteri Nokelainen to the Anaheim Ducks for Montador and sending rookie right wing Martins Karsums and defenseman Matt Lashoff to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Recchi.

Montador, 29, recorded four goals and 16 assists in 65 games with the Ducks this season and has collected 18 tallies and 49 points in 355 career games with the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers.

A two-time Stanley Cup winner, Recchi has registered 13 goals and 32 assists in 62 games this campaign. The 41-year-old recorded five assists in an 8-6 win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday.

Making their debuts against the Coyotes would be ideal for Montador and Recchi as Phoenix is coming off three straight regulation losses, including a 3-1 setback to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.