The Boston Bruins just keep on rolling. Coming off an overtime win against a divisional rival, the team returns home to take on a difficult opponent in Washington.
The Boston Bruins looked listless for a good chunk of last night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. After only registering two shots on goal in the 1st period and going down early in the 2nd, it seemed like a loss was inevitable.
But the Bruins fought back, and even after allowing a shorthanded breakaway goal to Dylan Larkin, the Brad Marchand-David Pastrnak duo took over. The two combined for a sweet passing play that tied the game with the goalie pulled, and then Marchand scored the overtime winner.
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 14, 2017
Tuukka Rask has now won five starts in a row, and the team is 9-2-0 in their last 11 games. Not bad for a team that didn’t win back-to-back games until mid-November. The team can only home to continue that momentum, and will need all of it tonight against the Washington Capitals. The teams already met earlier this season, with the Capitals taking the win in Boston.
The Caps are 19-12-1, 39 points, and sit 2nd in the absolutely stacked Metropolitan Division. The Bruins better hope that come April they are in the top three of the Atlantic Division, because I think we can all safely say that two Metro teams will win the wild card spots.
Schedule
After a snowy night in Detroit left many seats open at the Little Caesar’s Arena, the team traveled back home to Boston. Tonight’s game takes place in the TD Garden in Boston, MA, and puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The game will be on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub.
What to watch for
The Bruins had announced over the weekend that Rask would be starting last night in Detroit, and that Khudobin would be getting the tougher draw against Washington tonight. I imagine Tuukka’s 1-10-5 record against the Capitals in his career played into that decision. In fact, David Krejci (the parody account, of course) and I had a spirited debate about the decision yesterday on Twitter.
Ryan Spooner is still day-to-day, and no word yet on whether he’ll suit up tonight. If he does, someone has to sit. My money is on Sean Kuraly, and then Riley Nash can slide down to 4th line center with Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari. But if they want Spooner to play wing, then that’s a different story.
Next: Marchand lucky to avoid suspension
Paul Postma subbed in last night for Kevan Miller. The Bruins defenseman and his wife, Haley, welcomed their first child. Having just done so recently myself, I wish the happy couple my heartiest congratulations. And even though Postma held his own and didn’t lose the farm, hopefully Miller will be back with the team tonight.