Bruins look to get back on track, lineups against Penguins
The Boston Bruins have ran into a problem. After winning six games in a row, they now have seemed to have hit a wall and have lost their last two. While the top-six have continued to play well, the bottom-six have had issues driving, controlling, and creating plays.
On Sunday, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, struggle was on full display. A team that had just scored four goals the game before was shutout by a team that has been struggling in between the pipes.
After the game, head coach Bruce Cassidy was quick to call out the bottom-six as they had a noticeable low compete level and were basically refusing to go to the middle of the ice and to the dirty areas.
As a result of this, Cassidy decided to make some changes for tonight. Hopefully these changes will get the B’s back on track.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineups.
Boston Bruins
Record: 27-14-6 (60 points)
With the bottom-six struggling, coach Cassidy has decided to change things up a bit. Winger Jake Debrusk will be a healthy scratch tonight. Trent Frederic will finally be back in the lineup after being scratched the last 11 games.
Additionally, defenseman Steve Kampfer will be a healthy scratch. Connor Clifton will find himself back in the lineup.
Tuukka Rask will be in net tonight. Jarolsav Halak will be backing him up.
Expect the Bruins to look like this tonight:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
Hall – Krejci – Smith
Ritchie – Kuraly – Coyle
Frederic – Lazar – Wagner
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Reilly – Miller
Lauzon – Clifton
Rask (Halak)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 32-14-3 (67 points)
After shutting out the B’s just two days ago, I expect the Pens to go with the same lineup. The only thing that might change is the starting goaltender. However, I expect Tristan Jarry to start after he was in net for the shutout with Casey DeSmith backing up.
Expect the Penguins to look like this tonight:
Guentzel – Crosby – Rust
McCann – Carter – Zucker
Aston-Reese – Blueger – Kapanen
Sceviour – Jankowski – Rodrigues
Dumoulin – Letang
Matheson – Ceci
Pettersson – Marino
Jarry (DeSmith)
Where and when to watch Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins.
Time: 7 PM EST
Location: PPG Paints Arena
TV Broadcast: NESNplus, ATTSN-PT, TVAS
Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub
light. Must Read. Boston Bruins: 4 Keys to the Final Nine Games
This game is extremely important — a must-win, if you will. The New York Rangers are still breathing down the B’s necks and are now just four points behind Boston. The Black and Gold need to find their game and quick.