Every good thing must come to an end as the Boston Bruins‘ six-game win streak was snapped by the Buffalo Sabres Friday night. Today, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the B’s have a chance to start a new streak.
Things didn’t go as planned in the finale of the Black and Gold’s three-game series with the Sabres. They had trouble containing Buffalo’s forwards and goaltender Tuukka Rask looked off as he was ultimately pulled after giving up four goals. However, the B’s made things interesting in the last half of the third period as they finally woke up and were able to get within one to only give up an empty-net goal.
Today, the B’s will have to give the effort they gave in the last 10 minutes of Friday’s game for the entire game today. The Pens are currently in second place of the division after starting off this season a bit slow.
The most previous matchup between these two teams was a few weeks ago at the beginning of April. This game resulted in a 7-5 Boston victory. While these type of games are certainly entertaining, I would rather not be in a back-and-forth shootout with Pittsburgh.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineups.
Boston Bruins
Record: 27-13-6 (60 points)
The B’s were without captain and top center Patrice Bergeron in their last game as he was out with a lower-body injury that he suffered from blocking a shot in the second game against the Sabres.
Right now, it isn’t clear if Bergeron will play today and if there will be any changes to the lineup from what the B’s went with on Friday. But considering the result, hopefully Bergeron is back for today.
Jeremy Swayman will be back in net after Tuukka Rask started on Friday. Expect Rask to get the full day off with Jaroslav Halak backing up Swayman.
Expect the Bruins’ lines to look like this if Bergeron DOES play:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Hall – Krejci – Smith
Ritchie – Coyle – DeBrusk
Kuraly – Lazar – Wagner
Expect the B’s lines to look like this if Bergeron DOESN’T play:
Marchand – Coyle – Pastrnak
Hall – Krejci – Smith
Ritchie – Kuraly – DeBrusk
Blidh – Lazar – Wagner
Expect the B’s defense to look like this today:
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Reilly – Miller
Lauzon – Kampfer
Swayman (Halak)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 31-14-3 (65 points)
The Penguins are still without second line center Evgeni Malkin, however, right wing Kasperi Kapanen did return for the Pens in their last game.
Expect the Penguins to look like this today:
Guentzel – Crosby – Rust
McCann – Carter – Zucker
Aston-Reese – Blueger – Rodrigues
Sceviour – Jankowski – Kapanen
Dumoulin – Letang
Matheson – Ceci
Pettersson – Marino
Jarry (DeSmith)
Where and when to watch Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins.
Time: 3 PM EST (on NBC, so probably actually 3:30)
Location: PPG Paints Arena
TV Broadcast: NBC, TVAS
Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub
After a dreadful 50 minutes against the Sabres, the B’s will have to give a much better effort against the Pens today. Hopefully we get it, this is a majorly important game with he Rangers right on Boston’s tail.