Fansided

Bruins Begin Key Two-Game Set Against the Devils

By Scott Roche |
Mar 7, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Pavel Zacha (37) is congratulated by right wing Kyle Palmieri (21), defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (70) after scoring the only goal of the game as Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) skates away during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Pavel Zacha (37) is congratulated by right wing Kyle Palmieri (21), defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (70) after scoring the only goal of the game as Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) skates away during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

One day after rallying with two third-period goals to beat the Buffalo Sabres, the Boston Bruins return to ice Sunday night for an early evening game at 5:30 against the New Jersey Devils. Things have not gone well for the Bruins against the Devils this season and Boston hopes that changes tonight at the TD Garden.

After opening the season with a shootout win and an overtime loss to the Devils in New Jersey, the Black and Gold have lost their last games with their 2021 East Division foe at the TD Garden. If the Bruins are going to turn the tables on New Jersey to get two valuable points in the standings, it will have to be done against a Devils’ team ready to play spoiler.

MacKenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have both frustrated the Bruins this season in the four games the teams have played in the New Jersey goal. Boston has just five goals in 12 periods and two overtimes against the two Devils’ netminders. With the Bruins’ lack of scoring 5-on-5 this season, scoring goals tonight will not be easy, especially if Brad Marchand is out again because of COVID-19 protocols.

Speaking of 5-on-5 scoring, the Bruins got third-period goals from Craig Smith and Nick Ritchie to complete the comeback against the Sabres Saturday. For the second straight game, the Bruins’ top line, minus Marchand Saturday, failed to register a goal. Secondary scoring has been an issue for the Black and Gold this season, but hopefully, the bottom-nine forwards are going to start to contribute to aid the first line.

One advantage the Bruins have over the Devils is on the power play. New Jersey brings the NHL’s 30th-ranked penalty kill to Boston and the Bruins have gone 4-for-12 in their first four meetings this season.  Entering Saturday’s game with the Sabres, the Bruins had power play games in four consecutive games before going 0-for-5 with eight shots on the net. Struggling scoring at even strength, it would be a nice night for the Boston power play to come alive and take advantage of their opportunities.

Must Read. Boston Bruins: Key player returns against Sabres. light

Boston is holding down the fourth and final East Division playoff spot. Trying to hold off the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers is not going to be easy, but taking care of business in the next two games against the Devils will go a long way in Boston gaining some separation in the standings as the month of April is going to get crazy schedule-wise. The two teams will square off again Tuesday night.

Home / Bruins News