Bruins at Rangers 2/10/21: Game preview, lineups, and more

The Boston Bruins will take on the New York Rangers for the first of eight times this season. The B’s are coming off five-day break, thanks to some rescheduling due to COVID-19, while the Rangers just played two days ago.

The Black and Gold, although haven’t played a game in five days, are coming into this game red-hot. They’ll be looking for their fourth straight win after continuing their success against the Philadelphia Flyers for two games in a row and also knocking off the streaking Washington Capitals.

The Rangers have been streaky this season. Their most recent game was a 2-0 shutout loss to the New York Islanders. But before that, they had won their last two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Capitals.

Overall, the Rangers have an offense that can explode for at least four goals on any given night. So, Boston’s defense could have their hands full tonight. However, New York’s defense can be a bit iffy and usually highly depend on their goaltender.

Boston Bruins at New York Rangers projected lineups.

Boston Bruins
Record: 8-1-2 (18 points)

While the Black and Gold have been playing pretty well with what they’ve had over the last couple of weeks, they’ll be getting defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and winger Jake DeBrusk back tonight. Both Grizz and JD have missed over a week due to lower-body injuries.

With Grzelcyk back, Connor Clifton will not be in the lineup tonight. However, head coach Bruce Cassidy said that he could play in one of these two games against the Rangers because of his strong play in Grizz’s absence.

With DeBrusk’s return, we no longer have to deal with Anton Blidh and Karson Kuhlman in the lineup. Although Kuhlman works hard, he just doesn’t bring the offensive upside that JD brings. Blidh was basically invisible his two games, except for a penalty he took.

Expect the Bruins’ lineup to look like this tonight:

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Ritchie – Krejci – Smith
DeBrusk – Coyle – Bjork
Frederic – Kuraly – Wagner

Lauzon – McAvoy
Grzelcyk – Carlo
Zboril – Miller

Rask (Halak)

Cassidy seems to be completely done with his goalie rotation. I guess he thinks Tuukka Rask is warmed up and ready for more of a starter role than platoon as this will be his third straight start.

New York Rangers
Record: 4-5-2 (10 points)

The Rangers have a stacked top-six. With guys such Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad, this team can easily score six goals on a team that’s slightly off defensively.

However, their defense and goaltending is young and prone to mistakes. But their defense can make up for it as they jump in on the play often and can also score. Adam Fox and even rookie K’Andre Miller are guys you should be worried about at the blue line.

Expect the Rangers’ lineup to look like this tonight:

Kreider – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Panarin – Strome – Kakko
Lafreniere – Howden – Di Giuseppe
Lemieux – Rooney – Gauthier

Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Trouba
Hajek – Bitetto

Georgiev (Shesterkin)

Igor Shesterkin started last game and played quite well. However, Alexandar Georgiev will be in net tonight for the Rangers. Georgiev has been a bit shaky so far this season.

Where and when to watch Boston Bruins at New York Rangers.

Time: 7 PM EST

Location: Madison Square Garden

TV Broadcast: NBCSN, TVAS

Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub

Overall, the Rangers have had some issues this season. They haven’t been able to score like they were able to last season and their defense and goaltending have been shaky. The Bruins should win this game, but they can’t underestimate the Rangers.