Game 3 – Bruins Vs Rangers: Gameday News & Notes

Jan 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) and New York Rangers center Brad Richards (19) face off at the start of the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday night at the Madison Square Garden in New York City around 7:30PM EST on the NBC Sports Network, the undefeated Boston Bruins (2-0-0) will attempt to stay perfect against what should be a highly motivated New York Rangers (0-2-0) squad, who are still looking for their first win and point(s) of the season.

Many analysts and sports writers around North America pegged these two teams as being the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference along with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Well, so far the Bruins and Penguins have risen to the top, while the Rangers have stumbled out of the gate. However many of the Rangers problems could be fixed very easily tonight with a win versus the B’s. I understand it is still early but in a shortened season games tend to matter just a bit more and you don’t want to dig yourself too big of a hole, because it could eventually become your grave.

While the Bruins record has been perfect, their power play hasn’t been as fortunate. They’ve generated plenty of chances but have yet to capitalize, going an abysmal 0-9 on the PP so far this season. On the other hand though, they’re a perfect 9-9 on the penalty kill. I’m not surprised by either of those stats, it’s the Bruins.

The B’s held an optional skate Wednesday morning at MSG and according to CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty, “Both Brad Marchand and Dennis Seidenberg (lower-body injury) took the ice with their teammates, and Bruins coach Claude Julien said that each player would be a “game-time decision.” It was termed a maintenance day off the ice for Marchand on Tuesday and Seidenberg couldn’t do much to update his status after taking part in the optional skate”. Haggerty went on to say, “If Seidenberg and Marchand can’t go then spare skaters Lane MacDermid and Aaron Johnson will get the call for the Bruins”.

I think this will be the first real test for the B’s and I fully expect to see both Seidenberg and Marchand in uniform tonight. I also anticipate the Rangers to come out fast and physical. I know they Bruins have already defeated the Rangers and handedly, but that wasn’t the real NYR and now the B’s need to prove they can beat them on Broadway.

Prediction: It’s the Bruins first road game of the season and while their record hasn’t been too pretty at MSG over the past few years, their overall record on the road has been. I say the B’s win 3-2 and I’ll stick with my opening prediction of Tyler Seguin scoring two goals. He’s got to prove me right sooner or later, right?