Ruutu, Boychuk ready to play

Tuomo Ruutu says he's playing tonight. Zach Boychuk says he was told he probably would be playing tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Coach Paul Maurice wasn't as sure, at least in his remarks after today's morning skate. He said the decisions on Ruutu, forward Ray Whitney and Boychuk, who was called up Thursday from Albany (AHL) , won't be made until just before game time.

Odds are, Whitney will not play because of an upper-body concern. Odds are Ruutu, who also missed Thursday's practice with an upper-body injury, will be in the lineup.

Where does that leave Boychuk?

"He will put me wherever he thinks I fit and I'll do my best to help the team," Boychuk said of Maurice. "Basically we're going to try to keep it simple and just try to get pucks to the net. That's going to be my goal.

"Maurice took me and said, 'Don't be worried about making the other veterans happy. You've got to put the pucks to the net.' I'm a young guy and don't have a lot of experience. I have to bring hard work and a lot of youthful energy."

Boychuk, who played two road games for the Canes early last season before being returned to the Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), has not played a game at the RBC Center. He said Maurice has not told him which line he would be playing with if in the lineup.

Boychuk was rooming with center Brandon Sutter in Albany before Sutter was called up Oct. 24. He laughed when he was told he was already two goals behind Sutter.

"Those were beauties," Boychuk said. "He's played great. Hopefully I can do the same and make an impression."