Boston Bruins Causeway gameday! Seeing Stars during the day
The Boston Bruins only played one game last week, but rebound with a four game week. The week starts with a Monday matinee against a Western Conference playoff contender.
With today’s game, the Boston Bruins officially start the second half of their season. I think it’s fair to say that not many people would have expected the Bruins to be where they are in the standings at this point…except for me, of course. Many “experts” had the Bruins to possibly be pegged as wild card team, or even miss the playoffs.
The Bruins had their league mandated bye week last week, so they only played one game. That one game happened to be against the rival Montreal Canadiens. After a back-and-forth game, the Bruins gritted out a shootout win over the Habs. This win was just another in a long line of games where the Bruins have showed just what they can do when they keep their “compete level” high. What is “compete level”? Exhibit A, Torey Krug:
This was important. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/2vASbMOitI
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 14, 2018
As we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. today, the Bruins (24-10-7, 55 points) welcome the Dallas Stars (24-17-3, 51 points) into Boston for a matinee. Things always get interesting when the Bruins play the Stars, because Bruins fans can play the “what if” game. As in, “what if Peter Chiarelli didn’t trade away Tyler Seguin before he hit his prime and became one of the best point-getters in the league?”
Dallas currently finds themselves clinging on to a wild card spot in the Western Conference, whereas the Bruins sit firmly in the 2nd spot in the Atlantic Division. Yes, they may only have a two point advantage on the Maple Leafs, but that’s with four games in hand.
More from Causeway Crowd
- Harrison, Toporowski shine in Prospects Challenge
- Obscure former Boston Bruins: Steven Kampfer
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins release full “Historic 100” list ahead of season
- McAvoy, Lucic named to “Historic 100” list over the weekend
Schedule
The Bruins game today is scheduled for a 1:00 pm puck drop in Boston, MA at the TD Garden. The game will be televised on NESN and broadcast on 98.5 The Sports Hub. If you find yourself having to work today and have access to a computer, today’s game is the “Free Game” on NHL.tv if you’re interested.
What to watch for
Rookie Jake DeBrusk has decided that he wants to be in the conversation with Charlie McAvoy and Danton Heinen for best rookies on the team. After having been benched a couple times this season to clear his head, he is playing some of his best hockey of the season. He and David Krejci have great chemistry. And he’s finally using his unique combination of the three S’s (speed, strength, and skill) to his full potential. Watch for him to continue to ride that momentum.
The Dallas stars have an absolutely beast of a first time, in Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Alexander Radulov. However, beyond that line (and offensive defenseman John Klingberg, scoring becomes an issue. Seguin, Benn, and Klingberg are tied for the team lead with 40 points, and Radulov has 39. After that, no one has more than 23 points, and only two players have double digit goals. Moral of the story? Shut down the top line and their power play, and walk away with a win.
Next: Boston Bruins: The Bye Week Stinks
No announcement yet, but I imagine Tuukka Rask will be getting the starting goalie nod today. The Bruins play a set of back to back games this week which I imagine will be split between Rask and Anton Khudobin. Rask has played some quality hockey over the last month and half, going 12-0-1 in his last 13 starts.