By Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff

WILMINGTON – The Bruins returned to Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington today because the Celtics are taking over TD Garden with a preseason game tonight.

They began practice by practicing with opposite-shot sticks, something they've done before (and which sometimes looks quite humorous).

They spent about 10-15 minutes playing with the opposite stick.

"Keep things light," coach Claude Julien said. "For me the worst drill in practice is finding a warmup drill where you allow guys to get their legs and goaltenders feeling pucks and stuff like that. It was one of the things we’ve done before, give them a chance to loosen up and have fun with it.

"We’re three days away from the next game, so I don’t think we have to be too hard on them on a Monday morning practice."

The Bruins beat Detroit on Saturday night, and are off until playing the Avalanche on Thursday.

In other news, Carl Soderberg (ankle) skated before practice, and Julien said, "He is getting closer."