In the 6th matinee game of the season, the Bruins (27-12-2) are facing the the Winnipeg Jets (19-19-5) for the first time this year. We're looking to extend our win streak to two and take some momentum into our three game road trip on the west coast.
We found out this morning that Jordan Caron will not be playing due to a stiff back so the Bruins have called up Justin Florek on an emergency basis. As much as I never want to see any player hurt, I can't help but say thank god Caron isn't in the line up. He's literally the bane of my (and most other people's) existences. But anyways this will be Justin Florek's NHL debut. Last season with the Providence Bruins Florek played in 71 games with 11 G and 16 A. From what I can tell, he hasn't played in any this season.
Along with this, Torey Krug will be a game time decision after taking a maintenance day.
We found out this morning that Jordan Caron will not be playing due to a stiff back so the Bruins have called up Justin Florek on an emergency basis. As much as I never want to see any player hurt, I can't help but say thank god Caron isn't in the line up. He's literally the bane of my (and most other people's) existences. But anyways this will be Justin Florek's NHL debut. Last season with the Providence Bruins Florek played in 71 games with 11 G and 16 A. From what I can tell, he hasn't played in any this season.
Along with this, Torey Krug will be a game time decision after taking a maintenance day.
Bruins Projected Lines
Lucic-Krejci-Iginla
Marchand-Bergeron-Smith
Soderberg-Spooner-Fraser
Paille-Campbell-Florek
*Defense very well may change so don't hold it against me*
Chara-Hamilton
Boychuk-Krug (if he plays, if not Miller)
Bartkowski-McQuaid
Marchand-Bergeron-Smith
Soderberg-Spooner-Fraser
Paille-Campbell-Florek
*Defense very well may change so don't hold it against me*
Chara-Hamilton
Boychuk-Krug (if he plays, if not Miller)
Bartkowski-McQuaid
Team Stats
Team: The Winnipeg Jets lost their last game 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators and are entering this game attempting to rebound from it. They have 43 points but are 6th in the Central Division. Their goal differential is -8 and they are currently averaging just under 2 GF/game and about 3 GA/game. They are 9-11-1 away this season and this is the second of three road games for the Jets.
Players: This team is mediocre offensively but slightly better than the teams we've played recently. 17 of their 28 players have a negative rating, similar to past teams, but their range of negative ratings is far less than the others. They range from Byfuglien's -11 to Kane's -1. The other 11 players range from even to Little's +7. Bryan Little leads the team in points with 33 off 14 goals and 19 assists. Blake Wheeler leads the team in goals with 15.
Goalie: Ondrej Pavalec will be the starting goalie today. Pavelec has played in 32 games with 11-16-4 record. He has a 3.03 GAA and a .902 SV%.
Of Note: Dustin Byfuglien has two goals and five assists in his past seven games,
Players: This team is mediocre offensively but slightly better than the teams we've played recently. 17 of their 28 players have a negative rating, similar to past teams, but their range of negative ratings is far less than the others. They range from Byfuglien's -11 to Kane's -1. The other 11 players range from even to Little's +7. Bryan Little leads the team in points with 33 off 14 goals and 19 assists. Blake Wheeler leads the team in goals with 15.
Goalie: Ondrej Pavalec will be the starting goalie today. Pavelec has played in 32 games with 11-16-4 record. He has a 3.03 GAA and a .902 SV%.
Of Note: Dustin Byfuglien has two goals and five assists in his past seven games,
Team: The Bruins are hoping to continue the upward swing after winning their last game against the Predators 3-2. We have 56 points and are still first in the Atlantic Division. Our goal differential has improved to +32 and we're still averaging 2 GA/game and 3 GF/game. We are 17-4-2 at home this season and have an overall record of 30-19-2. This is our last game at home before a three day road trip on the west coast begins Tuesday.
Players: 17 of our 28 guys still have positive ratings still ranging from Iginla's 18 to Krug's +1. It is good to note that 8 of these 17 have ratings above +10. The rest of the players range from even Caron's -5. Krejci still leads the team in points with 36 off 9 goals and 27 assists while Reilly Smith still leads the team in goals with 14,
Goalie: Tuukka Rask will get the start today. He's played in 32 games with a 20-9-2 record. He has a 1.99 GAA and .932 SV%.
Of Note: Iginla has 5 goals in 5 games and the all three members of the KIL line has a six game point streak.
Players: 17 of our 28 guys still have positive ratings still ranging from Iginla's 18 to Krug's +1. It is good to note that 8 of these 17 have ratings above +10. The rest of the players range from even Caron's -5. Krejci still leads the team in points with 36 off 9 goals and 27 assists while Reilly Smith still leads the team in goals with 14,
Goalie: Tuukka Rask will get the start today. He's played in 32 games with a 20-9-2 record. He has a 1.99 GAA and .932 SV%.
Of Note: Iginla has 5 goals in 5 games and the all three members of the KIL line has a six game point streak.
Keys to Beating the Jets
1. Faceoffs: The Jets centers are notably mediocre when it comes to winning faceoffs. This creates an obvious disadvantage for the Jets who would need to win these faceoffs, especially in their own zone, if they want to stop the Bruins offense. However, with guys like Bergeron and Krejci on the faceoff dot, the Jets are more than likely going to have more issues than normal, which of course the Bruins need to take advantage of to establish our offensive presence early and keep the Jets running.
2. Defensive Zone Advantage: The Jets are struggling defensively, especially when it comes to providing net front support. Their defense also has a habit of allowing other teams to skate around them into the zone without attempting to stop it or adjust themselves to fix the mistake. As such, the Bruins need to establish themselves in front of the net early on and utilize our size and speed out front to take advantage of their inability to adjust. This means playing center ice rather than along the boards.
3. Special Teams: The Jets are also notably struggling with their penalty kill, which has been bottom of the pack for the past several years. As such, our special teams should take advantage of this and, using the aforementioned two tips, get to the net and shoot.
2. Defensive Zone Advantage: The Jets are struggling defensively, especially when it comes to providing net front support. Their defense also has a habit of allowing other teams to skate around them into the zone without attempting to stop it or adjust themselves to fix the mistake. As such, the Bruins need to establish themselves in front of the net early on and utilize our size and speed out front to take advantage of their inability to adjust. This means playing center ice rather than along the boards.
3. Special Teams: The Jets are also notably struggling with their penalty kill, which has been bottom of the pack for the past several years. As such, our special teams should take advantage of this and, using the aforementioned two tips, get to the net and shoot.
My Three Bruins Players to Watch
1. Patrice Bergeron: Bergy is on a role right now with a +16 rating on the ice. He's a big body who is capable of getting to the net quickly while helping create plays otherwise. So not only is he an offensive force but he's our best face off center right now and as such he's going to come up huge tonight against a team who is struggling in all of his advantage areas.
2. Ryan Spooner: Spoons is due for a goal. He came so close last game and with his puck handling ability and chemistry with line mate Fraser, I don't think he'll have much of a problem playing center and ice and driving to the net.
3. Torey Krug: Now, I know Kruger has been having a little bit of trouble playing defense. But he has been continuously stellar as a member of one of our special teams. Krug's shot from the blue line is fantastic and will be big today against a struggling penalty kill.
2. Ryan Spooner: Spoons is due for a goal. He came so close last game and with his puck handling ability and chemistry with line mate Fraser, I don't think he'll have much of a problem playing center and ice and driving to the net.
3. Torey Krug: Now, I know Kruger has been having a little bit of trouble playing defense. But he has been continuously stellar as a member of one of our special teams. Krug's shot from the blue line is fantastic and will be big today against a struggling penalty kill.
Score Prediction: 3-1 Bruins Win
Until after the game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!