Get ready for an emotional night folks because the Bruins (7-6-0) face off against the Florida Panthers (4-2-3), who will be bringing Shawn Thornton along with them for his first return to the Garden after being released by the Bruins.
I have a lot to say about the fact that the Bruins let go of Shawn Thornton. You can find that whole rant here if you're interested. For me, Thornton made up a big part of the heart and soul of this team and you can definitely feel the difference without him on the fourth line. Our ability to build energy and momentum has definitely changed. And I am not a fan.
But in any case, tonight the Bruins are playing without Krug, Chara and Krejci. And it gives me nightmares because what are we going to do without all of them at once? It's one thing if we lose one of them at a time, which is bad enough as it is, nevermind all three. Excuse me while I stress. Kevan Miller, who is of less consequence, is also still out with a dislocated shoulder. Boo hoo.
The Panthers come into this game without Jonathan Huberdeau, who is a crucial piece of their offensive game. They will also be without Aleksander Barkov(lower body), Dave Bolland (lower body), Brandon Pirri (uppoer body) and Sean Bergenheim (lower body). So they're in about as much trouble as we are.
I have a lot to say about the fact that the Bruins let go of Shawn Thornton. You can find that whole rant here if you're interested. For me, Thornton made up a big part of the heart and soul of this team and you can definitely feel the difference without him on the fourth line. Our ability to build energy and momentum has definitely changed. And I am not a fan.
But in any case, tonight the Bruins are playing without Krug, Chara and Krejci. And it gives me nightmares because what are we going to do without all of them at once? It's one thing if we lose one of them at a time, which is bad enough as it is, nevermind all three. Excuse me while I stress. Kevan Miller, who is of less consequence, is also still out with a dislocated shoulder. Boo hoo.
The Panthers come into this game without Jonathan Huberdeau, who is a crucial piece of their offensive game. They will also be without Aleksander Barkov(lower body), Dave Bolland (lower body), Brandon Pirri (uppoer body) and Sean Bergenheim (lower body). So they're in about as much trouble as we are.
Projected Bruins Line Up
Lucic - Kelly - Griffith
Marchand - Bergeron - Smith
Fraser - Soderberg - Eriksson
Paille - Campbell - Gagne
Seidenberg - Hamilton
Morrow - McQuaid (Yuck)
Warsofsky - Trotman (oh boy)
Marchand - Bergeron - Smith
Fraser - Soderberg - Eriksson
Paille - Campbell - Gagne
Seidenberg - Hamilton
Morrow - McQuaid (Yuck)
Warsofsky - Trotman (oh boy)
Team Stats
Team: The Panthers are coming into this game after a surprising 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. The Panthers have had the last few days to rest up, which may or may not be a good thing for them. The Panthers are 7th in the division and went 13-25-3 in away games last season. Let's be honest, they're just terrible. And I feel bad for Thornton because he is not terrible.
Players: Luongo (the fact that him and Thornton are now playing together is literally one of the funniest things I've heard of late) has a .951 save percentage in the last four games. Jokinen has a four game point streak.
Goalie: Luongo will be in net tonight. Luongo has been in eight games with a 4-2-2 record. He has a 2.15 GAA and .933 SV% overall. Not to shabby.
Players: Luongo (the fact that him and Thornton are now playing together is literally one of the funniest things I've heard of late) has a .951 save percentage in the last four games. Jokinen has a four game point streak.
Goalie: Luongo will be in net tonight. Luongo has been in eight games with a 4-2-2 record. He has a 2.15 GAA and .933 SV% overall. Not to shabby.
Team: The Bruins are on a two game win streak after a pretty impressive win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Bruins also had a nice break over the weekend, which is going to be a good thing for us all things considered. The Bruins are fourth in the division, which is notable improvement from where we were.
Players: Brad Marchand has 3 goals in his last two games. Matt Fraser had two goals last game.
Goalie: Tuukka Rask will be in net tonight. Tuukka has played in 9 games with a 5-4-0 record. He has a 2.72 GAA and a .902 SV%. It kind of pains me seeing his stats compared to Luongo's. But I guess the circumstances can kind of help explain it. I still don't like it though.
Players: Brad Marchand has 3 goals in his last two games. Matt Fraser had two goals last game.
Goalie: Tuukka Rask will be in net tonight. Tuukka has played in 9 games with a 5-4-0 record. He has a 2.72 GAA and a .902 SV%. It kind of pains me seeing his stats compared to Luongo's. But I guess the circumstances can kind of help explain it. I still don't like it though.
Score Prediction: 3-1 Bruins Win
Until after the game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!