Boston Bruins Gameday 73: Friday Night Stars in Dallas

The Boston Bruins begin the final ten games of the regular season tonight against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Centre tonight. The B’s secured their playoff status with the point picked up in St.Louis.

Playoff Bound

While the Boston Bruins secured their postseason credentials at the Scottrade Centre, the Dallas Stars are in a desperate race for points. The Stars (84pts) are currently four points back of the second wildcard spot in the west which is occupied by the Anaheim Ducks (88pts). With only eight games remaining on the Stars schedule every game has become do-or-die.

This is the two teams first meeting since Jan.15 in which the Stars took the game 3-2.

Donato Watch

Another game, another goal for the (yet another) rookie sensation. Donato has four points in two games (two goals, two assists). We did see some fatigue creep into his game during the latter stages of the Blues game. This is to be expected when making the jump from NCAA hockey to the NHL. It’ll be interesting to see how long he can continue this point streak to keep the adrenaline pumping. Even when the big boys return to the lineup it’s going to be hard for Bruce Cassidy to bench the rookie.

Torey Krug

Lines

Marchand – Riley Nash – Pastrnak
Donato – Krejci – Heinen
Schaller – Kuraly – Acciari
Wingels – Szwarz – Gionta

Holden – Carlo
Grzelcyk- Miller
Postma – McQuaid

Rask

Injuries

Patrice Bergeron (fractured foot) , Zdeno Chara (Undisclosed), Charlie McAvoy (Sprained MCL), Rick Nash (Upper-body injury), Jake DeBrusk (Upper-body injury), David Backes (Knee laceration), Anders Bjork (Shoulder surgery).

Simply staggering.

Prediction

Please see above, the Stars who need a win far more than the battered Bruins take the two points tonight. 3-1 Stars.