Bruins Take on Nashville, Krejci With the Team

Jan 2, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing

(18) slides the puck away from Nashville Predators defenseman

(42) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. The Bruins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

“We know all three games are going to be tough games. We’ve just got to focus on the type of game we want to play, and bring that competitive level to the place it needs to be. We need to play the system the way it needs to be played, and bring that emotion and that excitement wanting to win some games against some good teams. I think if we have that attitude then we give ourselves a chance to have some success.”-Milan Lucic

At long last David Krejci is finally back to travelling with the team.  Unfortunately this doesn’t secure that he will be re-inserted in the line up, but Coach Claude Julien is hopeful to see him return. Krejci has been sidelined with a groin injury and has appeared in just 2 games since October 30.   He was taking turns with Chris Kelly centering Milan Lucic and Craig Cunningham during practice yesterday and with any luck the Bruins will be able to regain the centerman and get back on a winning track.

Tonight the Bruins take on the Nashville Predators, a team that features one of the toughest defensive cores in the League as they have allowed only 57 goals against this season, placing them among the top three teams in the league for fewest goals allowed along with the Penguins and Blackhawks.  In addition to a strong defensive core, the Preds also have Finnish phenom Pekka Rinne, a netminder who currently leads the League with backstops and ranks third with his 1.75 goals-against average.  His .937 save percentage also ranks among top four goaltenders in the League.

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We all know the Bruins have been struggling all season long to try and find their way with consistency and chemistry.  With the addition of Zdeno Chara, the defensive core has gained a key component that they have been missing. Size and strength. Gaining David Krejci among the top line would be an ideal situation for Boston, giving them a bit more leverage and some direly needed talent in the scoring column.

Given that tonight’s game kicks off a three-game stint against some of the toughest teams the Central Division has to offer, the Bruins need to be prepared and ready to play with urgency. Their need to score and remain consistent through the entire sixty minutes of game-time is imperative. Should they be able to keep themselves in the right frame of mind and put forward their best efforts, they stand a chance at climbing the standings instead of hovering around the middle,clinging to dear life for a playoff spot.