( Photo Credit: Winslow Townson / Associated Press )

By: Lauren Spencer | Follow me on Twitter: @laurenspenc

Uncertainty has been moving through Boston early today, as it was revealed that multiple players on the team have been struggling with an illness for the last few days. Jim Montgomery did not reveal the lineup for tonight due to the remaining questions about which players will feel well enough to play. Most significantly, Captain Patrice Bergeron missed practices over the weekend and was cited to be out with illness and precaution relating to the injury.

Goalies Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have also been affected, with Swayman missing Sunday’s practice. Both goalies did appear at the optional morning skate this morning, along with emergency call-up Brandon Bussi. Bergeron and Ullmark have been noted as game-time decisions. As it gets closer to puck drop, more information about who is in and who is out will be shared.

This group illness comes approximately two weeks after David Pastrnak was revealed to have felt sick during an April 6th game against the Maple Leafs. Pastrnak scored the overtime game-winning goal and was quickly surrounded by his celebrating teammates. At the time, Montgomery stated that Pastrnak had been feeling under the weather. Montgomery also shared that Jakub Lauko and Tomas Nosek were impacted by the stomach bug recently, mentioning that Lauko had lost eight pounds as a result.

While there are some questions about who is out tonight, there have been other players that have been confirmed. Montgomery confirmed that Derek Forbert will return tonight after missing fifteen games with a foot injury. Also returning to the lineup is David Krejci, who had rested for the final games of the regular season.

Krejci, who has been known for his strong performances in the playoffs in the past, was said to have “a twinkle in his eye” by Montgomery this morning. Nick Foligno is also a potential return tonight after a stint on the LTIR. Foligno has expressed his desire to play in Game One and feels that he is physically and mentally ready for his return.

Luckily for the Bruins, they have a deep pool of players that are ready to step up when necessary. There have been games all season in which significant players have missed time. If Bergeron is not able to play tonight, there will always be someone willing to step up for the team.

The Bruins have also been blessed with their goalie tandem, who won the Jennings Trophy for their performances throughout the regular season. If one is unavailable tonight, the other has already proven they can handle the pressure. Even if it were to come down to Bussi in net, he has also had a successful season in Providence, earning AHL All-Star status.

One of the best qualities of this Bruins team is that they have a “next man up” mentality and have shown success in games that seem in doubt. This relentlessness makes it difficult to bet against the Bruins, even with all the question marks that have been popping up today.