Boston Bruins: Black (and Gold) Friday.
Nov 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman
Torey Krug(47) is surrounded by center
Chris Kelly(23), center
Carl Soderberg(34) and defenseman
Matt Bartkowski(43) after scoring a goal during the second period against the St. Louis Blues at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins won’t have much time to get over their turkey filled naps this year. The Black and Gold will be home to take on the Winnipeg Jets. The Bruins(13-9-1) are currently in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, six points out of first place. They are tied with Jets (12-9-3) with twenty seven points each.
The Bruins have been rebuilding their lines to make up for nagging injuries and budding AHL talent. David Pastrnak is expected to see significantly more minutes against the Jets. Pastrnak is now part of the Bergeron line, and Patrice Bergeron has a way of making everyone play better. The AHL defensemen have been on a hard learning curve in Boston, but the front office is pleased with their performance so far.
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“I know it’s improving, but part of that is a function of the younger personnel on the blue line,” said Chiarelli after today’s practice. “So those guys have to find their way in general. And that blocking out and boxing out is a hard task for younger D to do. So that has to be better, and it’s getting better.
Chris Kelly has been skating the last few days, and he’s listed as a game time decision. Having Kelly back would be helpful for the Bruins on the third line. Kelly’s return would than shift focus on which other member of the line would end up as the healthy scratch (Seth Griffith or Matt Fraser). Kelly started out strong for the Bruins and he’s proven capable of delivering points for Boston.
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With the amount of injuries the Bruins have faced, the B’s could be in significantly worse position than they are now. The team is thankful that the work they’ve put in has kept them above water as the injuries have piled up. “I think what’s important with this group is that even with all of the injuries and everything, it can be easy to say we’re in a good spot right now,” offered Torey Krug after the morning skate.
“We’re happy with where we’re at, but we’re not a satisfied group, so I think that’s really important — especially when guys start to return. We’re a hungry group looking to move up in the standings, and that’s where that sits.”
The Jets are looking to put Michael Hutchinson in net tomorrow night. Huthchinson was initially recruited by the Bruins in the 2008 Entry Draft, and he looks eager to take on the old home team again. We’ll see how he fares when the puck drops shortly after 7 PM tomorrow night.