Return of injured Bruins skaters to cause a logjam

BOSTON — It may not happen on Thursday night but it almost has to happen soon.

The Bruins, remarkably consistent for the entire season, at 20-3-5, and ridiculously hot at the moment, are going to have to change a lineup that was won eight straight games and earned at least one point in 12 straight (9-0-3) entering Thursday’s matchup with the Blackhawks at 7:05 p.m. at TD Garden.

When it happens, it won’t be because head coach Bruce Cassidy is in one of his moods to tinker, although he will get the opportunity. The Bruins are close to welcoming three injured players back to the lineup, though, and Cassidy will have to figure out where to put them. General manager Don Sweeney, meanwhile, could have to trim the roster to comply with NHL limits.

At least one decision isn’t even a decision: When No. 1 center Patrice Bergeron, whom Cassidy said Wednesday “is getting closer” to returning from a lower-body injury that will cost him a sixth straight game on Thursday, is ready to come back, he’ll come back as the No. 1 center.

Not so clear, or easy, is what to do when defenseman John Moore, who has recovered from off-season shoulder surgery, and winger Brett Ritchie, who seems past an elbow infection that has kept him from playing 12 of the last 16 games, are deemed ready for game action.

Cassidy, in general, doesn’t have a problem with the idea of changing a winning lineup.

“You try to put the best lineup in every night,” the coach said. “If we have a better player who’s ready to go in, and we’ve won eight in a row, we’re probably going to do that — put the best lineup in. So, yes, I would definitely insert guys in the lineup, no matter where the previous week was, or a streak.”

That task is more challenging now than earlier in the season, when injuries forced the B’s to make multiple recalls from AHL Providence just to have 20 players available for games. In the coming days, Cassidy will have to inform bona fide NHLers — some who have contributed consistently to the Bruins’ current streaks — that they won’t be in the lineup.

“We’ve got tough decisions to make,” Cassidy said. “Now you’re talking about sitting out NHL guys who have been playing up to this point, and that’s a little different than saying to a Cam Hughes or Jack Studnicka [both recent, short-term call-ups from the P-Bruins], ‘Hey, you’re going to go back; keep working on your craft.’ It’s a tougher sell.”

Winger David Backes, who has played the last two games after missing 13 with an upper-body injury, and Moore got caught up in such numbers games last season. This year’s decisions differ in that they might involve sending a veteran or two to Providence. With Moore close to playing, the Bruins are carrying eight defensemen — two more than they use in a game. Bringing Ritchie (still on injured reserve as of Wednesday) and Bergeron back will push them to 14 forwards — also two more than dress for a game.

The Bruins’ roster is suddenly in danger of hitting 24 active players, one more than the NHL limit. Most potential demotions come with the risk of losing a player on waivers, but there’s a risk with not keeping the most likely contributors, too.

“You don’t want to leave points on the table,” Cassidy said.

“If you feel you’re not dressing your best lineup, do you feel you have less chance to win those points? That might catch up to you later. So you’re always balancing that stuff.”