The Boston Bruins got back into the win column with a 4-0 shutout of the New York Rangers Thursday night at the TD Garden. The two teams enjoyed a day off on Friday, but will have a quick turnaround with a matinee Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Despite the day off, there was no shortage of Bruins news.
Here is a look at some of the storylines from Friday and yes, the Providence Bruins just keep on winning and a rookie goaltender continues to impress.
Bruins will start Halak Saturday.
For the third straight game, the Bruins will start Jaroslav Halak in the second game against the New York Rangers. Tuukka Rask is still being bothered by an injury and will miss his third consecutive game. Dan Vladar will back up Halak for the third straight game.
Should Rask not join the Bruins on their upcoming four-game road trip through Pittsburgh and Buffalo, then things get interesting to see who starts the two games against the Penguins on Monday and Tuesday. With the back-to-back games, there is no way that Halak plays both. Does Vladar get the start or do the B’s bring up rookie Jeremy Swayman from Providence and give the rookie the start?
Senyshyn injured Thursday night.
Zach Senyshyn made his season debut Thursday night and was impressive. However, Senyshyn suffered an upper-body injury in the game, did not practice Friday, and will miss Saturday’s rematch at the TD Garden with the Rangers.
Prax lines:
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) March 12, 2021
Ritchie-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Coyle
Bjork-Studnicka-Smith
Frederic-Kuraly-Wagner
Grzelcyk-McAvoy
Vaakanainen-Clifton
Tinordi-Zboril
Kampfer
Halak
Vladar
Anders Bjork practiced with the Boston on Friday will most likely get the nod on the third line with Craig Smith and rookie Jack Studnicka.
Providence Bruins win again.
The P-Bruins won their eight-game of the season Friday afternoon with a 5-2 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Jakub Lauko continued his good start to the AHL season for Providence with two goals, while Cam Hughes (two assists), Anton Blidh, and Karson Kuhlman also scored. Greg McKegg, down from the Boston taxi squad had two assists in his first game.
Swayman won his seventh game in as many starts with 26 saves. If Rask can’t join Boston on the upcoming road trip, the B’s have not announced who the goalie on the trip will be with Halak, Vladar or Swayman.