The Boston Bruins continue their four-game road trip with a second consecutive game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The B’s will be looking for a better result than of last night’s 4-1 loss.
There just isn’t much to say about Boston right now. They’re struggling to score, and, with Tuukka Rask out, Jaroslav Halak is struggling to keep the puck out of the net as he seems overworked.
Tonight, the Black and Gold will be looking to end a two-game losing streak and score more than a goal in a game. The Pens, on the other hand, with be looking to extend their six-game winning streak.
Just like last night, the B’s are going to have to give a great effort tonight to win, especially with the lineup changes that were made. Tonight is either going to go really well or really bad. I don’t think there’ll be an in between.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineups.
Boston Bruins
Record: 14-8-4 (32 points)
After another lackluster offensive performance last night, head coach Bruce Cassidy is once again deciding to make some changes to the B’s lineup.
Winger Anders Bjork will be a healthy scratch tonight, with rookie Oskar Steen taking his place alongside Nick Ritchie and Charlie Coyle. The rest of the skaters look like they’ll remain the same.
In net, rookie Dan Vladar will be getting his first career NHL start tonight. Tuukka Rask is still skating, but isn’t ready to play and Jaroslav Halak obviously needs a break, so here’s Vladar. Halak will be backing up.
Expect the Bruins to line up like this tonight:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Smith
Ritchie – Coyle – Steen
Frederic – Kuraly – Kuhlman
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Zboril – Clifton
Tinordi – Kampfer
Vladar (Halak)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 18-9-1 (37 points)
The Pens could also see some lineup changes tonight, but for good reasons with players coming back for injuries.
Left wing Jared McCann and defenseman John Marino are both game-time decisions. If McCann plays, Anthony Angello will most likely be a healthy scratch. If Marino plays, Chad Ruhwedel will most likely be a healthy scratch.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Casey DeSmith will be getting the start tonight with Tristan Jarry backing up.
Expect the Penguins to line up like this tonight:
Guentzel – Crosby – Rust
McCann – Malkin – Kapanen
Aston-Reese – Blueger – Tanev
Sceviour – Jankowski – Rodrigues
Dumoulin – Letang
Matheson – Ceci
Pettersson – Marino
DeSmith (Jarry)
Where and when to watch Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins.
Time: 7 PM EST
Location: PPG Paints Arena
TV Broadcast: NESN, NBCSN, TVAS, SN, ATTSN-PT
Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub
As the title of this article states, this game is a must win for the Bruins. The B’s currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot in the East, but just by one point, so these two points are extremely important with the season getting closer to its end.