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Some Bruins Thoughts During a Break in the Schedule

By Scott Roche

Jan 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Nick Ritchie (21) celebrates with his teammates after scoring on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Nick Ritchie (21) celebrates with his teammates after scoring on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 10: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period at American Airlines Center on March 10, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 10: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period at American Airlines Center on March 10, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

As the Boston Bruins four-day break between games after this past weekend’s games with the Buffalo Sabres were postponed because of COVID-19 protocols with the Western New York divisional foe comes to an end, here are some Bruins thoughts as we get closer to the first of two games at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.

Speaking of the Rangers, following Monday night’s 2-0 loss at home to the New York Islanders, the Blue Shirts are 4-5-2 and sitting tied with the Islanders and New Jersy Devils in the basement of the East Division. I know, we’re barely a quarter of the way through the shortened 56-game schedule, but the Rangers are a team the Bruins shouldn’t take lightly.

They are young in goal, young on defense, but their forwards have been a big disappointment through the first 11 games.

Artemi Panarin leads the way with five goals and 10 assists, while Ryan Strome and Chris Kreider both have four goals. Nobody has more than two after that. Mika Zibanejad has been an early-season disappointment with one goal and two assists. Last season in 57 games, he had 41 goals and 34 assists. The Bruins defense will have to be on their toes to keep the Rangers in a scoring funk.

Bruins outdoor game around the corner

Hard to believe, but the Bruins outdoor game at Lake Tahoe, Nevada is coming up fast on the schedule. The fifth game of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers is 12 days away on Feb. 21 and it will be the second game on the weekend. The Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche will play the day before on Feb. 20.

The Bruins were kicking the tires on playing some of their home games outdoors in Boston, but ultimately it fizzled out. Call me a traditionalist, but games played outdoors don’t bring the same excitement as a game indoors, but this season playing outdoors I guess is a better option than not playing at all.

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