Causeway gameday! Boston Bruins forecasting a Sharknado in the area

For years, Joe Thornton has always been the one that got away from the Boston Bruins.  The future hall of famer returns to Boston tonight trying to get his team back on track.

Has anyone else gotten frustrated with the long breaks between games for the Boston Bruins this season?  The Bruins have only played 7 games thus far, while other teams will be playing their 10th or 11th tonight.  Tonight marks game number 8 for the Bruins when the San Jose Sharks come to town.

Both teams have come stumbling out of the game to start the season.  The Bruins sit 3-3-1 and have played incredibly inconsistent hockey.  The Bruins have yet to win back-to-back games.  The Sharks find themselves at 4-4-0, looking to get above the .500 mark for the first time this season.  However, the Sharks are only one season removed from a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Schedule

The Sharks find themselves at the fourth game of a five game road trip on the East Coast.  Tonight’s game at the TD Garden in Boston, MA starts at 7:00 pm.  The game will be televised locally on NESN, and can be found on 98.5 The Sports Hub for radio listeners.

What to watch for

It has been announced that David Krejci has been downgraded to week-to-week, and will miss tonight’s game and beyond.  David Backes has been practicing down the middle on the second line between Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak.  Backes has years of experience playing the pivot.  Let’s hope it’s like riding a bike and he can provide some stability.

Tuukka Rask has officially be cleared to play, but he will ride the pine pony tonight.  Anton Khudobin will get the start tonight, with the hopes that Rask will play Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.  When it boils down to it, Los Angeles is a team on fire to start the season, so having your number 1 netminder fresh and healthy for that game makes sense.

Kevan Miller is a gametime decision today, but has practiced this week in a non-contact jersey.  Head coach Bruce Cassidy has said he “looks good and should play,” but if he doesn’t, Paul Postma and Rob O’Gara could both see the ice for the second time this season.  O’Gara was an emergency recall for the last game, so that would be necessary again since he was sent back to Providence after the last game.

Next: David Backes...can he change the second line?

The Bruins should be sure to keep an eye on #39 in white and teal.  Logan Couture is absolutely crushing it right now, despite a slow start to the season.  In his last 4 games, Couture has 6 goals and 3 assists.  The rest of the team isn’t exactly playing inspired hockey yet.  But when a playmaker like Joe Thornton and a wookiie – wait, no sorry – defenseman like Brent Burns are out there, expect offense to come at some point.