Feb 13, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Adam Clendening (44) defends against Boston Bruins forward Reilly Smith (18) during the third period Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight the Boston Bruins return to their home ice at the TD Garden to host the Vancouver Canucks in the last meeting of the regular season. The meeting comes just a week after their last meeting, one that kicked off an abysmal road trip out West where they took away three points of a possible 10.
However, despite the multitude of injuries that are beginning to build up once again for the Boston Bruins, they can find a little comfort in knowing tonight’s opponent is battling the same thing since their last encounter. The Vancouver Canucks will be without their #1 goalie Ryan Miller. Miller sustained a lower-body injury that not only forced him to leave Sunday’s game against the Islanders, but forces Vancouver to rely solely on Eddie Lack, much like they had to last season (almost a year to the day).
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Alex Burrows is still sidelined for Vancouver with an upper body injury that has had him sitting out for the past two games. Meanwhile, Nick Bonino is a game-time decision for the Canucks, skating alongside Shawn Matthias and Radim Vrbata in practice this morning.
The Vancouver Canucks are having a decent bounce back type of year, holding down 2nd place in the Pacific Division and 7th in the West with 71 points. They also have a +14 goal differential, something that the Bruins defense and goaltender are going to have to keep fresh on their mind if they want to use Sunday’s game as a start to turning things around (again). The way to do that, keeping the goals against down. Tuukka Rask is gearing up for his 18th straight game since January 10, prior to the win over Chicago, he had allowed three-or-more goals in a season-high six straight games.
Puck Prose
With Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom in net for Vancouver the Bruins have two choices. They can either annihilate the net minder and make them look like fresh bait, (likely contributing to fans believing they are big badasses and can win the Cup with the roster they currently have) OR make them look like a reigning Vezina Trophy winner and have Boston calling for Chiarelli’s head on a platter. With Bruins fans it really is that extreme, but then again, that’s the extremes we have grown accustomed to witnessing throughout this season. Content high points that are thrown off balance by extreme lows and new career-long losing streaks.
Tonight the Bruins have the ability to earn two points to push them a little further ahead of the Panthers in the playoff run. While they will have to do so without David Krejci and Gregpory Campbell in the line up, it seems as though they play their best hockey when they are pushed to a breaking point and faced with adversity. Time will tell and for now, the focus is on 7:00 tonight.