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Boston Bruins Causeway gameday! Cyclone > Hurricanes

By Chad Zimmermann |
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 08: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks to jam the puck in the net as Zane McIntrye #31 of the Boston Bruins goes down in the crease and Brandon Carlo #25 defends during an NHL game on January 8, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 08: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks to jam the puck in the net as Zane McIntrye #31 of the Boston Bruins goes down in the crease and Brandon Carlo #25 defends during an NHL game on January 8, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins just had one weather phenomenon roll through in the form of a Bomb Cyclone.  In fact, it was so bad it caused Thursday’s game to be postponed.  Now another meteorological problem comes to town.

The Boston Bruins game on Thursday against the Florida Panthers was snowed out, and will be played at another time.  Saturday night’s game should be on, despite a Hurricane (or 23) coming into town.  Yeah, I know, bad joke…but I’m a new dad so I’m working on my dad jokes, and it was sitting right there.

With Thursday’s game not being played, the Bruins haven’t played since Tuesday, when they took on the New York Islanders.  That game ended with a 5-1 Bruins victory.  The offense has really been clicking for the Bruins, with Tuesday’s game marking the 3rd time in 4 games that the Bruins scored five goals.

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 02: Patrice Bergeron
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 02: Patrice Bergeron /

The Bruins (22-10-6, 50 points) are in 2nd in the Atlantic Division, tied in points with the Toronto Maple Leafs but with four games in hand.  Believe it or not, if the playoffs started today, the Carolina Hurricanes would be in the playoffs.  They currently hold the last wild card spot, just ahead of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Schedule

Hope everyone bundles up as they travel to the game.  The game tonight in Boston, MA at the TD Garden starts at 7:00 pm, when it’s scheduled to be 6 degrees with a feels like temperature of -14 degrees.  The game (if your cable hasn’t been knocked out) will be on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub for listeners.

What to watch for

The Bruins play another set of back-to-back games today and tomorrow (in Pittsburgh).  Head coach Bruce Cassidy has already indicated that goalies Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin would split the games, but it’s currently undetermined which goalie will start each game.  It’s really a toss-up, because each team presents similar challenges.  And historically, Rask has similar career numbers against both teams (Carolina: 7-3-3, 1.89 GAA and .939 save percentage; Pittsburgh:  9-6-2, 2.30 GAA and .926 save percentage).

Adam McQuaid is still technically on injured reserve, but he’s been practicing with the team fully.  I’ve been saying for awhile that it’s going to be tough to get him back in the lineup.  The team is playing so well right now, especially defensively.  Matt Grzelcyk has been superb in relief of McQuaid while he was injured.

Next: Bruins should avoid trade market

Speaking of Matt Grzelcyk, it was his birthday yesterday.  He turned 24 years old, and the rookie has really made a name for himself this season.  Look for Grzelcyk to become a mainstay in the Bruins lineup soon.  Here’s a fun fact:  the Bruins are 5-2-0 this season when in games played on a player’s birthday, or the first game after a player’s birthday (wins:  McQuaid, DeBrusk, Schaller, Acciari, and McAvoy; losses:  Carlo and Miller).

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