from Caryn Switaj of BostonBruins.com,

The Panthers announced via their Twitter feed on Wednesday, just as the B's finished up practice at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, that the former B's goaltender "will play against his previous club" on Thursday....

Though confirmation from Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien on his starting goaltender won't come until after morning skate on Thursday, we can expect to see Tuukka Rask starting in goal, making what years ago would have been an unlikely reunion at opposing ends all but inevitable.

"I never thought that we would play against each other," Rask said following Wednesday's practice. "But I’m glad that he made his comeback and proved people wrong again, and I hope he does well."

"All those years shooting on him in practice, I think it’ll be fun to finally shoot on him in a game and I’m sure he’s looking forward to it as well," said Milan Lucic. "I’m sure he’s happy to be back in the NHL playing and he’s found a new home here in Florida."

"I think, especially for this one, regardless of how it ended or not," added Lucic, when it was insinuated that Thomas might be bringing his best for this one.

"I think there’s still something special with this organization and him just because of the Stanley Cup and two Vezinas and a Conn Smythe. He was a competitor and that’s why you expect that level of play from him."

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