Bruins announce roster for Monday night rematch with Flyers
On Sunday, the Boston Bruins announced their roster for Monday night’s rematch with the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center.
It’s a bit of a balanced roster after the Bruins fell to the Flyers in the shootout on Friday night at the TD Garden.
The forward group includes: Jesper Boqvist, Justin Brazeau, Patrick Brown, Charlie Coyle, Jake DeBrusk, Morgan Geekie, A.J. Greer, Fabian Lysell, Marc McLaughlin, Matthew Poitras, Anthony Richard, and Oskar Steen.
The defense group includes: Mike Callahan, Brandon Carlo, Hampus Lindholm, Ian Mitchell, Dan Renouf, and Reilly Walsh.
And the two goaltenders are Brandon Bussi, and Jeremy Swayman.
The forward group features a bevy of veteran names including DeBrusk, Geekie and Coyle, but it also has youngsters like Lysell, Poitras, and Brown in it.
Does the Bruins front office really believe in Poitras?
Having Poitras in this game, shows to me that Boston’s front office is being pulled in two directions.
On the one hand, he is young, and he could use a little bit more development in the OHL, but on the other hand, I believe they are intrigued by what they have seen so far out of the 19-year-old. This game could be his do-or-die moment this season, however, as he has played both games thus far at home and this will be his first on the road.
What line he plays on tonight will also show a lot about what Don Sweeney and co. think of him. If he is on a line with DeBrusk and Coyle, he is likely being challenged to be as on top of his game as possible, but if he is on a line with Lysell or Brown, or even Steen, it may just look like they are trying to him more reps.
In order to stick around, Poitras needs to show he can do it in another team’s building. If he can keep up in another building, and maybe even notch a point, he may be around until the end of camp.
How do the Bruins win?
Discipline is key
In order for the Bruins to win this one, the first way they have to do so is to stay disciplined on the ice.
Yes, they have killed every penalty off but one, but that is all this Philadelphia team needs to get going, especially if Boston winds up starting Swayman in net who has not made an appearance. With an inexperienced netminder, the last thing you need is one goal just to potentially spiral everything.
Take advantage of the powerplay
So far, Boston has only been able to score twice on the powerplay. Luckily for the Bruins, they have one of their powerplay goal-scorers in the lineup tonight in Poitras, who was able to put one in the back of the net in the first game of the season against the New York Rangers.
They do have other powerplay stalwarts in the lineup in DeBrusk, McAvoy, Lindholm, and Geekie, but they’ll have to be operating at 100% in order to take advantage.
Finish the job
In Friday’s loss, Boston was a goal in overtime away from a win after taking a one-goal lead into the third period.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, they went to overtime, then the shootout, and fell in the one-on-one drill. It shouldn’t be difficult for them to score goals tonight, or any night for that matter with the offensive attack they have, but it’s imperative that they don’t take their foot off the gas.
How can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports, and locally on NESN – puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.