(The Devils are going to need more than karate lessons to slow down the B's.)
Game Thirty-Three
Boston Bruins vs. New Jersey Devils
December 23rd, 2008 @ 7:00PM
GAME QUICK HITS:
- Happy Holidays (and Festivus) everyone! The Bruins are traveling to New Jersey tonight to play one last game before a three-day holiday break. Tonight's game is the second of the Bruins five game road trip and will be the first of four match-ups between the B's and the Devils this season. The Bruins come into tonight riding a five-game win streak while the Devils have their own three-game streak going as well. This is the third time this season that the Bruins have flirted with a six-game win streak.
- The Bruins look to get their 25th win of the season tonight, a feat that we didn't see until the 24th of January last season.
- Let's talk about the significant emergence of the injury bug for the Bruins in this early season. Currently, the B's have placed Patrice Bergeron, Petteri Nokelainen, and Aaron Ward on the injury reserve. While needing to resort to the long-term IR for both Marco Sturm and Andrew Ference.
- On the other end of the ice, the Devils will be missing John Madden, Bryce Salvador, and Martin Brodeur.
- Tonight's starting goaltender for the Bruins, looks to be Tim Thomas (13-3-3) who has won his last four starts. Thomas was roughed up in his last start though, being pulled from the game after giving up five goals in two periods against Toronto.
- The Devils will start a streaking Scott Clemmensen (11-3-1) of Boston College alum fame. Clemmensen has been on fire this season making up the best he can for the absence of future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur. Clemmensen has only one regulation loss in his last twelve starts.
- Streaking B's! Phil Kessel currently has an 18-game point streak, while David Krejci has begun his own streak which sits at 5-games.
- Patrice Bergeron Update! Bergy is currently at home and resting. He was admitted to Mass. General Hospital following Saturday's game as a precaution due to his past with concussions. He is said to be fine and has been improving everyday. Nothing looks to serious but as a fan, I hope this does not mean the bright career of Bergy has now turned into that of a one Eric Lindros.
- Former Providence Bruin and finance of NESN's own Kathryn Tappen, Jay Leach will be joining the Devils roster tonight. Leach has seen a hefty amount of ice time and been in a fair number of fights since being recalled by the Devils. Hopefully, Leach will inspire Tappen to dress her age and to stop stealing grandma sweaters from the Good Will bin before games. (Thanks for the head's up on this Brett!)
- (noteworthy) The Devils are the closest team to the Bruins when it comes to the 5-on-5 goals against/for ratio this season. Along with this the Devils among the bottom of the pack when it comes to the power play (20th) and penalty kill (26th), so look for them to try and stay out of the box while matching lines with the B's.
GAME PREDICTIONS:
(post your predictions in the comments section)
- Chris: Bruins 3-2
BRUINS BLOGROLL GAME PREVIEWS:
