In both a figurative and literal sense, Zdeno Chara is a big loss.

The Bruins figured that out first hand on Tuesday night after Chara left the game after his first shift in the second period of the team’s 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. With Chara out, the shorthanded Bruins D was overmatched in the second period as pucks were getting through traffic and the front of the net was left wide open for second and third chances on Tuukka Rask. The B’s attempt to tie the game in the third period – where they outshot the Blues 17-7 – came up short as their three-game home winning streak was snapped.

Life without Chara continues as the Bruins captain is considered day-to-day with a lower body injury. His status will be re-evaluated before Friday’s game versus the Flames at TD Garden.

With Chara out, Kevan Miller could make his season debut. The veteran blue-liner missed the first 19 games following shoulder surgery.

Up front, David Pastrnak also appears closer to returning with fellow linemates Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The 20-year-old, who missed the last three games with an upper body injury – skated with the top unit during Wednesday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena.

Gametime: 7:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 11-8-0 (22 points), Senators 11-7-1 (23 points)
Location: Canadian Tire Centre

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Matt Beleskey-David Krejci-David Backes
Ryan Spooner-Riley Nash-Austin Czarnik
Tim Schaller-Dominic Moore-Sean Kuraly

Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
John-Michael Liles-Brandon Carlo
Joe Morrow-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Zane McIntyre

Senators projected lines

Ryan Dzingel-Kyle Turris-Tom Pyatt
Zack Smith-John-Gabriel Pageau-Mark Stone
Mike Hoffman-Derick Brassard-Chris Kelly
Max McCormick-Curtis Lazar-Chris Neil

Marc Methot-Erik Karlsson
Dion Phaneuf-Codi Ceci
Mark Borowiecki-Chris Wideman

Craig Anderson
Mike Condon

Tonight’s storylines

The Bruins face former teammate Chris Kelly for the first time since he reunited with the Senators in the off-season. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

– Judging from Wednesday’s lines and d-pairings, Torey Krug and Adam McQuaid will be the top defensive pairing tonight while Brandon Carlo will reunite with John-Michael Liles – his partner for a good portion of the preseason. How this translates into matchups tonight against a Sens team ranked next to last in goals scored remains to be seen, but with third place in the Atlantic on the line, the Bruins D shouldn’t take this team lightly especially without Chara. Ottawa is coming off a 4-3 victory over Montreal where they handed Carey Price his first regulation loss of the season.

– Through the first quarter of the season, the Bruins and Sens appear to be trending on a similar course. Both are in the bottom half in the league offensively (Sens 29th in goals for, Bruins 21st) and in the top half defensively (Bruins 5th in goals allowed, Sens 12th). Those mirror images continue on special teams where the Sens possess the 29th ranked power play at just over 10 percent efficiency while the Bruins are 22nd at 14.8 percent, and both are in the top 10 on the penalty kill (Sens fifth having killed 86.4 percent of their penalties, Bruins seventh at 85.7 percent). Puck possession and offensive zone starts are crucial in every game and tonight that will be no exception.

– On Tuesday, the Bruins would’ve wanted nothing more than to help David Backes beat his old team. Two nights later, they’ll be facing Chris Kelly for the first time since the former Bruin reunited with the Sens as a free agent this summer. Through 19 games, Kelly, who was acquired by former B’s GM Peter Chiarelli around the trade deadline in 2011, has a goal and two assists.

– From all of us at Bruins Daily, we hope you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!