Bruins take MASSIVE blow prior to tonight's matchup with Tampa Bay!

The battle between two of the NHL's top teams won't feature one of the top players in the game however. The announcement was made by Bruins bench boss Bruce Cassidy following the team's morning skate.

Despite practicing yesterday, B's captain Patrice Bergeron will miss tonight's game against the Bolts. Jack Studnicka should once again get an opportunity to slide in on the top line alongside Brad Marchand and Jake Debrusk.

Bergeron, who suffered an arm laceration in practice last week, will sit out his fourth straight game. The initial plan was for the forward to miss one or two games, but an infection led to some more complications for Bergeron.

The centerman will remain on IR for now and hopes to make a return on Saturday night against Zdeno Chara and the New York Islanders.

After being listed as probable following yesterday's practice, Bergeron has since been downgraded to out.