The Bruins (18-8-2) go against the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-9-1) tonight for the third time this season in hopes of rebounding from the loss against the Habs.
The Bruins are going into this game with a slight disadvantage with the loss of Adam McQuaid to a lower body injury and Johnny Boychuk to a sprained back. This means that Kevan Miller and Matt Bartkowski will be in the line up tonight. As I've mentioned before, Kevan Miller isn't someone to worry about tonight, as he's proven himself to be a solid player on the blue line with no fear of physicality. Bartkowski has proven that he's fast and can be physical but he's relatively inconsistent in his play making ability.
The Bruins are going into this game with a slight disadvantage with the loss of Adam McQuaid to a lower body injury and Johnny Boychuk to a sprained back. This means that Kevan Miller and Matt Bartkowski will be in the line up tonight. As I've mentioned before, Kevan Miller isn't someone to worry about tonight, as he's proven himself to be a solid player on the blue line with no fear of physicality. Bartkowski has proven that he's fast and can be physical but he's relatively inconsistent in his play making ability.
Tonight's game is pretty important. If we win in regulation we have the opportunity to reclaim second place in the conference over the Habs and to get within 2 points of first place. So what this translates to is: the Bruins need to win this game.
But winning is once again not going to be easy. The Penguins are in first place in the conference with 41 points and are currently on a 5 game winning streak.Their away record is 8-6-1 and they have a +27 goal differential with 94 goals for in 30 games. That's approximately 3 goals per game. Their goals against on the other hand is only 2 per game. It's obvious that their offense and defense are absolutely formidable. But the majority of their offensive drive is coming from none other than Sidney Crosby, who has 15 goals and 26 assists. He gets good support out of Chris Kunitz, who has 16 goals and 14 assists. With that in mind, it's obvious which line is going to be our biggest issue tonight if we don't stop them early on.
The keys to this game are simple ones. We need to stop that first line and we need to do it early on. They will capitalize on any chance they get (as seen by Crosby's goal with .3 left in the third period). We need to keep the ice tilted in our direction for as long as is humanly possible. This will require our defense to be as on point as they can be in keeping the puck in the offensive zone and creating turnovers. Our offense needs to keep constant pressure on Fleury and, more importantly, find ways to bury the puck, which was one of our biggest issues against the Habs. It will only help if we find a way to get under their skin (preferably without copious penalties.)
But winning is once again not going to be easy. The Penguins are in first place in the conference with 41 points and are currently on a 5 game winning streak.Their away record is 8-6-1 and they have a +27 goal differential with 94 goals for in 30 games. That's approximately 3 goals per game. Their goals against on the other hand is only 2 per game. It's obvious that their offense and defense are absolutely formidable. But the majority of their offensive drive is coming from none other than Sidney Crosby, who has 15 goals and 26 assists. He gets good support out of Chris Kunitz, who has 16 goals and 14 assists. With that in mind, it's obvious which line is going to be our biggest issue tonight if we don't stop them early on.
The keys to this game are simple ones. We need to stop that first line and we need to do it early on. They will capitalize on any chance they get (as seen by Crosby's goal with .3 left in the third period). We need to keep the ice tilted in our direction for as long as is humanly possible. This will require our defense to be as on point as they can be in keeping the puck in the offensive zone and creating turnovers. Our offense needs to keep constant pressure on Fleury and, more importantly, find ways to bury the puck, which was one of our biggest issues against the Habs. It will only help if we find a way to get under their skin (preferably without copious penalties.)
My three players to watch tonight are:
1. Zdeno Chara: He is going to be very, very important tonight. Our struggling defense is going to look to the big man for help during this game and Chara is going to need to step up to plate. And I think he will. If he doesn't score, he's going to be making those key defensive plays that will help us turn the tables.
2. The Merlot Line: We're going to need our energy line more than ever tonight after a sluggish game against the Habs and with some dampered spirits after the loss. All they really have to do is be the Merlot line we know and love. I'm expecting a goal out of them tonight.
3. Tuukka Rask: You know Tuukka Rask is not a fan of the Penguins and is not a fan of his performance in the last minute of third period the last time we played them. He's going to come up big in this game because he's got something to prove. He's also going to be crucial (as always) because of our struggling defense.
1. Zdeno Chara: He is going to be very, very important tonight. Our struggling defense is going to look to the big man for help during this game and Chara is going to need to step up to plate. And I think he will. If he doesn't score, he's going to be making those key defensive plays that will help us turn the tables.
2. The Merlot Line: We're going to need our energy line more than ever tonight after a sluggish game against the Habs and with some dampered spirits after the loss. All they really have to do is be the Merlot line we know and love. I'm expecting a goal out of them tonight.
3. Tuukka Rask: You know Tuukka Rask is not a fan of the Penguins and is not a fan of his performance in the last minute of third period the last time we played them. He's going to come up big in this game because he's got something to prove. He's also going to be crucial (as always) because of our struggling defense.
Score Prediction: 3-2 Bruins Win
Until the end of the game,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!
Keep Calm and Bergeron!