Time to turn the calendars to 2018. Here’s hoping the Boston Bruins can keep their 2017 momentum going into the new year.
There was no team in the NHL hotter than the Boston Bruins from mid-November through the end of the year. Since November 16th, the Bruins are 15-3-2, and they have firmly entrenched themselves in a playoff position.
One of the teams that helped the Bruins do so was the Ottawa Senators. The Bruins have officially avenged last season’s first round playoff exit at the hands of the Sens. Last week, the Bruins played Ottawa twice, on Wednesday and Saturday, and outscored them 10-1. Tuukka Rask saved 50 of 51 shots, and he has gotten himself back on track.
In the time of resolutions, fans surely hope that the Bruins have their eyes set on the 2018 playoffs. This team as comprised may be young, but it’s loaded with talent and the chemistry is really starting to develop. Players like Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk, and Danton Heinen are all exceeding expectations. There’s no telling what this team could do in a best-of-seven series.
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The Bruins play their final game of a three-game roadtrip tonight in Brooklyn against the New York Islanders. The teams previously met this season in what was being tabbed as the battle between rookies Jake DeBrusk and Mathew Barzal. In that match-up, Barzal collected an assist, while DeBrusk scored one of the Bruins three goals in the 3-1 victory.
Schedule
The Bruins will travel to Brooklyn, NY where they will play in the poorly-designed-for-hockey Barclays Center. Game start is scheduled for 7:00 pm, and the game will be televised on NESN and on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
What to watch for
Barzal has to be one of two favorites for the Calder Trophy at this point in the season. He is currently 2nd among rookies in scoring with 13 goals and 23 assists, and has a +4 rating. He only sits behind Vancouver’s Brock Boeser, another player from the 2015 draft that went after the 13th-15th picks of the Bruins. After a five game point streak (5-3–8) that included his first career hat trick, he has come up empty in back-to-back games, both NYI losses. Watch out for him to rebound in a big way.
The Bruins finally have a week without back-to-back games. Look for Tuukka Rask, who is 10-0-1 in his last 11 starts, to be well rested for tonight’s game, having not played since Saturday. Adam McQuaid may also return for the game tonight from his broken leg, meaning the team will finally be full strength again.
Next: Boston Bruins 2017 Year in Review
With every forward being healthy again, head coach Bruce Cassidy has some lineup shuffling to consider. Spooner, a natural center, replaced Anders Bjork in the lineup as right wing for David Krejci. That was probably in order to keep the 3rd line of Danton Heinen, Riley Nash, and David Backes together.