(To K-Tapp's credit, I believe he was with Boston when they started dating.)
Game Forty-Nine
Boston Bruins vs. New Jersey Devils
January 29th, 2008 @ 7:00PM
PREVIOUS GAME RECAP:
- The Bruins of earlier this season have finally returned and I guess decided to show up Tuesday at the Garden to take on the closest team to the Black & Gold in the standings, the Capitals. The Bruins started out slow after Savvy was sent to the box within' seconds in the first, resulting in a power-play goal but would quickly rebound. It seemed as if that goal was wake up call and Bruins finally answered it. It might have been the fact that the team was actually a team again too, getting back Andrew Ference, Milan Lucic and Patrice Bergeron on the same night.But overall the Bruins defense was back to its shutdown self and the offense was clicking again. Even though the Bruins just got by the Caps in OT, this was a huge win to kick off a week in which the B's will face-off against the 2 through 6 placed teams in the Eastern Conference (in order).
GAME QUICK HITS:
- The Bruins will face-off against the New Jersey Devils tonight for the second time this season. The first meeting saw the Bruins win a hard fought 2-0 game giving Tim Thomas The Devils are the hottest team in the league right now, riding a current 6-game win streak, defeating some not too shabby teams along the way. This is the second game in what is sure to be the toughest week in hockey for any team in the league as the Bruins run the gauntlet facing the 2nd through 6th seeds in the Eastern Conference, in order, in the next 7 days.
- Phil Kessel and Michael Ryder are set to return tonight. Kessel has missed the last 6-games with mono, while Ryder missed the last game with flu-like symptoms.
- Zdeno Chara currently sits at 299 career points and only needs one more to hit the big 300. I say a 105 MPH slap shot should do the trick.
- Third jerseys will make a return tonight at the Garden for the 10,000th time this season. I am a fan of the new thirds but come on, they are alternate jerseys not the teams home ones.
- GM Peter Chiarelli and the Jacobs are currently in-talks and working on a new contract extension. Hopefully the Bruins will seal up this newest New England mastermind with a solid contract.
CREASE REPORT:
- Bruins: Tim Thomas (21-5-4) will more than likely get the start in between the pipes tonight. Thomas has started the last 7-games during the absence of Fernandez and has posted a record of 5-1-1 so far. After winning his second straight ASG, Thomas jumped right back into things on Tuesday shutting down one of the hottest offenses in the league (34 save night). Backing up Timmy will be the constant recall Tuukka Rask who has yet to see any playing time this season.
- Devils: Scott Clemmensen (20-9-1) and Kevin Weekes (4-4-0), or Brouder's replacements, have filled the skates of one of the all-time greatest goaltenders pretty damn good. Both the goalies have combined for a 6-game win streak currently, which has been anchored by the play of Clemmensen. Look for Clemmensen to keep things rolling tonight and get his fifth straight start for the red hot Devils.
INJURY REPORT:
- Bruins Injury Report: LW Marco Sturm (knee) is the only Bruin currently on the IR. G Manny Fernandez is out of action for a few days with "general soreness" in his back. C Petteri Nokelainen is going to be a game-time decision tonight with an undisclosed injury.
- Devils Injury Report: G Martin Brodeur, on the IR with a torn tendon in his elbow, is the only Devil who will be missing tonight.
GAME PREDICTIONS:
(post your predictions in the comments section)
- Chris: Bruins 4-2 (Empty Net Goal)
BRUINS BLOGROLL GAME PREVIEWS:
