David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy missed Marco Sturm's morning skate, but Boston still expect both to play Saturday night in Tampa Bay.

That missing-practice look can stir up noise fast, especially this late in the season. In this case, it reads like workload management more than anything else, with Boston staring at a back-to-back that rolls straight into Philadelphia.

That matters because the Bruins don't have much room left to waste. Boston sit at 43-25-8 for 94 points, and this weekend has the feel of a playoff hinge.

Lose both games in regulation, and the pressure jumps in a hurry. Beat Tampa Bay or at least grab something before the flight to Philly, and the Bruins keep themselves in the fight.

Pastrnak getting a maintenance day makes sense when you look at the load he's carried. He has 29 goals and 96 points in 71 games, and Boston's offense still runs through his stick.

McAvoy's case is just as clear. He has played major minutes all season, and he logged 27:37 in Boston's most recent game on April 2.

The Bruins don't need a practice win this morning. They need their best winger and top defenseman ready for puck drop against a Lightning team that already has 100 points.

Boston are managing legs because the stakes changed

This is where the calendar starts to squeeze teams. Tampa Bay on Saturday is tough enough, but the quick turnaround into Sunday against the Flyers makes the decision easier for Sturm.

You can call it a breather, but it's really about survival. Boston need Pastrnak's finish and McAvoy's presence on the blue line far more tonight than they need either guy taking reps in a morning session.

McAvoy has 58 points in 64 games, which tells you how much he touches every phase of the game. Five-on-five, breakouts, special teams, late-game defending - his fingerprints are everywhere.

And Pastrnak remains the one forward who can change the feel of a night in one shift. With 66 penalty minutes on top of those 96 points, he's been in the middle of everything for Boston this year.

That's why this isn't really about who missed practice. It's about Boston trying to get through a nasty weekend with their top horses still fresh enough to drag them over the line.

If both dress against Tampa Bay as expected, the Bruins get the outcome they wanted. A little less work in the morning, and a lot riding on the night.