Bruins Look For Two-Game Sweep of the Rangers
By Scott Roche
The Boston Bruins will look for their first two-game winning streak in a month when they host the New York Rangers this afternoon in a Saturday matinee at the TD Garden. The last time the Bruins won back-to-back games? It was on Feb. 10 and 12 when they won both games at Madison Square Garden against the same Rangers to extend their then-winning streak to five games.
Thursday night, the Bruins shutout the Blue Shirts 4-0 behind 27 saves from Jaroslav Halak. The good news for the Black and Gold in the game was that David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk each scored. For Krejci, it was his first goal of 2021, while DeBrusk tallied his second goal, his first 5-on-5.
DeBrusk was a healthy scratch Tuesday night against the New York Islanders in a 2-1 shootout loss on Long Island. He responded with his best game of the year and unlike other games, he was noticeable for the 60 minutes. He played in all three areas for coach Bruce Cassidy, even strength, on the power play and killing penalties. DeBrusk will miss this afternoon’s game due to COVID-19 protocols.
Boston Bruins
Record: 14-6-3 (32 points)
Halak will be back between the pipes for the Bruins as Tuukka Rask will miss a third straight game with an undisclosed injury. Brad Marchand, who missed practice Friday, will play today. Zach Senyshyn will miss the game with an upper-body injury, but other than that, the Bruins are expected to roll out everyone else who played Thursday.
Anders Bjork practiced on Friday on the third line with Jack Studnicka and Craig Smith and is in line to take Senyshyn’s spot in the lineup. Chris Wagner is also in the lineup for DeBrusk.
One thing to watch for in the game is how things go in the first two periods. When the Bruins lead after the second period, they are 9-0-0 this season. When the Rangers have trailed in the second intermission, they are 0-9-0. If the Black and Gold can make it a 40-minute game, then they could be in good shape.
New York Rangers
Record: 10-12-3 (23 points)
On Friday, Rangers coach David Quinn announced that Keith Kinkaid will make the start in net in place of Alexander Georgiev, who was pulled in Thursday’s loss in the second period after giving up four goals in just under 25 minutes of action.
Artemi Panarin, who has missed the last nine games for personal reasons, practiced on Friday with the Rangers at the TD Garden and could play in the game, which would give them an offensive injection to their lineup. The Rangers penalty-killing unit entered Thursday’s game with the second-ranked unit, right behind the Bruins. They fell to fourth following the game, but their PK will play a big role in giving them a chance to get a win.
Where and when to watch Bruins vs. Rangers
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Location: TD Garden
TV Broadcast: NESN, MSG+, NHL Network
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub