The Boston Bruins return to action Wednesday Night after the NHL’s Holiday Break. It’s a rematch of the first round of last year’s playoffs. Some notes from today’s morning skate.
With the NHL’s three day Holiday Break now in the rear view mirror, the Boston Bruins held their morning skate at the Warrior Ice Arena Wednesday as the team gets ready to play the Ottawa Senators.
“Time to get back at it.” This was Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said when asked if he enjoyed his time off, as the team comes out of the break with three games in four nights, including a back to back set. The coaching staff will have its hands full.
With the Bruins rattling off wins in 13 of the last 17 contests, including four in a row leading up to the break, the question was asked if the hiatus came at a bad time. “Good timing, guys were under the weather” said Cassidy, before adding “the break wasn’t too long.”
It was a good point made by the coach. If you think back to last week, Brad Marchand, Riley Nash and Ryan Spooner all missed practice time due to illness and the latter two missed game action. Perhaps the break was just what the doctor would have ordered to prevent anyone else from getting sick.
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Renewing Acquaintances
The Ottawa Senators come to the TD Garden Wednesday, the first of four meetings between the to clubs this season. The Senators bested the Bruins in six games in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
The Bruins haven’t beaten the Senators in regular season in almost two full years. December 29th 2015 was the date. The Bruins won by a score of 7-3 with Jimmy Hayes (yes, that Jimmy Hayes) notching a hat trick, and Matt Beleskey tallying two goals as well. To say the Bruins have changed a lot in two years would be an understatement.
After finishing second in the Atlantic Division last season with 98 points, Ottawa has struggled the first few months of this campaign. Just the Sabres and Coyotes separate the Senators from the basement of the league.
Injuries have definitely played a factor, as team captain Erik Karlsson, who was the leading scorer a year ago and veteran forward Bobby Ryan have both missed time due to injury.
Matt Duchene, who was acquired in a three way trade a couple months ago, has been disappointing for the Senators thus far. The 27 year old is a -9 with just five points (2-3-5) in 20 games for Ottawa this season.
Other Game Day Notes
Adam McQuaid (leg) has not been activated from the IR, he is skating with the team and will travel on the upcoming road trip.
David Krejci (upper body) participated in Wednesday’s morning skate, albeit in a red no contact jersey. He too remains on the IR but will travel with the team.
Peter Cehalrik (leg) is progressing well and skated Wednesday morning, same goes for him as with McQuaid and Krejci.
Next: Rask and Khudobin: Jennings Trophy?
Tuukka Rask will be in net against the Senators Wedneday, and Anton Khudobin will get the nod Thursday night in Washington against the Capitals.
Cassidy stated Wednesday that there was no rush to activate McQuaid or Krejci for Wednesday night’s game because the coaching staff wanted to go with the same lineup that has won four straight.
Wednesday’s Projected Lines
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Debrusk-Spooner-Bjork
Heinen-Nash-Backes
Schaller-Kuraly-Accari
Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Grzelyck-Miller
Rask