The Boston Bruins extended their point streak to a whopping 17 straight games on Tuesday night. The team practiced at Warrior Ice Arena Wednesday morning before taking off for Ottawa.
Late in the game against New Jersey Tuesday, Brad Marchand put himself in what has unfortunately become familiar territory for the All Star forward. He delivered an elbow to the head of Devils forward Marcus Johansson after being tripped up following a scoring chance.
Johansson left the game immediately and did not return. The play is now under review by the league office. Marchand will have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety Wednesday afternoon.
Marchand has been suspended seven times in his eight plus year career so far and while the there didn’t appear to be malicious intent with the elbow. His reputation around the league could bring a suspension leaving the Bruins without their lone All Star for at least one game.
Bruce Cassidy spoke on the play during his press conference Wednesday.
"“I wish he had scored off the rush,” Cassidy said with a wry smile, before adding “he saw a Devils sweater and wanted to protect himself. Brad’s taken a lot of shots over his career and puts himself in harms way because he possesses the puck so often.”"
The coach added that he doesn’t believe there was any intent. However, the team will be prepared for the worst after Marchand’s hearing.
Bergeron Continues to Amaze
Just past the midway point of the second period against the Devils Tuesday night, Patrice Bergeron found the back of the net for the 20th time this season. It was the ninth time of his career he’s reached the marker. Tying him with Ray Bourque for 3rd most all time in Bruins history. Next up on the list is Rick Middleton (10) and Johnny Bucyk (16)
With Bergeron’s goal the Bruins became the first team in the NHL to have three 20 goal scorers this season. Marchand (21) and David Pastrnak (20) round out the trio. Back at the beginning of the season if you said that the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line was the best in hockey, you’d probably be called a homer but now, well, numbers don’t lie.
Bergeron is arguably having his best season through 41 games so far, 40 points (20-20-40) to go along with a +23 rating. His usual stellar face-off numbers and being used in every situation makes it no surprise that he will probably be taking home more hardware at the NHL awards ceremony in June. What is surprising, and down right puzzling is the fact that he won’t be skating with the league’s best at the All-Star game in Tampa Bay this weekend.
He was absent from practice on Wednesday. However, he wasn’t feeling well Tuesday but still played and the coaching staff decided to give him the morning off. He is traveling with the team and is expected to be in the lineup Thursday night.
Tuukka Rask extended his own point streak to 17 games with the win Tuesday. He becomes the 7th goalie in Bruins history to reach the milestone. The record for consecutive decisions with at least one point is held by Gerry Cheevers, who went 24-0-8 from November 1971-March 1972.
Next: Bruins Steal Points from Devils
Other Practice Notes
Noel Acciari (Lower Body) missed practice, his status for Thursday night is unknown.
Cassidy did not have any further update on Charlie McAvoy, other that he is feeling better. The coach was going to speak to him over the phone before boarding the plane for Ottawa. No update on when McAvoy will have media availability either.
Tuukka Rask will be in net Thursday night in Ottawa, the last game until Tuesday as the league enters the all star break.