Boston: 23-8-4 New Jersey: 15-12-9
The Boston Bruins will play host to the New Jersey Devils tonight at TD Garden. Boston has beaten the Devils in 9 of their last 10 tries, including a 2-1 shootout victory back on January 29. The meeting will mark the second of three contests scheduled for this year.
The B's have won two straight and find themselves in a perfect position to continue its dominance over New Jersey. Boston is poised to pass Montreal in the standings with a victory and regain the top spot in the Northeast.
The Devils on the other hand are on a downward slide that may very well push them right out of the playoff picture. They are currently in a tie for seventh in the East. An injury to Ilya Kovalchuk has directly resulted in their latest 0-3-1 free fall.
The Bruins seem to have gotten some of their offensive swagger back. Swagger the Black-and-Gold had been without while amidst a dismal 2-3-1 stretch. On the heels of a 50 shot performance against Ottawa, newly acquired Jaromir Jagr will add to a group that looks to have found its stride.
Expect the iconic Jagr to skate alongside Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand on Boston's second line. With the Lucic-Krejci-Horton line beginning to catch fire, Jagr's offensive creativity will give the Bruins viable secondary scoring and elite power play capabilities.
Patrice Bergeron will be out after suffering a "moderate" concussion in the second period of Tuesday night's game. Kaspar Daugavins will make his Bruins debut on line three and will likely assume Bergeron's penalty killing role.
After allowing a season high 47 shots on goal, the B's defensive corps will look to bounce back as the team gears up for a run at the Conference's top cede. It will likely be Tuukka Rask in net tonight, though Anton Khudobin has made his case for more action with his recent outstanding outings. With newcomer Wade Redden added to the mix and Adam McQuaid eyeing a return to the lineup, the defense should be much tighter moving forward.
With a Saturday night showdown in Montreal looming, the B's cannot afford to overlook New Jersey. Jaromir Jagr's experience, knowledge, and talent will nicely aid in keeping the task at hand in perspective for many of the younger Bruins. Seeking a sixth straight win at home, Boston will hope to exploit Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. Brodeur has lost seventh straight to the Bruins. All signs seem to be pointing positive as the puck drop approaches.
Projected lineup:
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Seguin-Jagr
Pandolfo-Peverley-Daugavins
Thornton-Campell-Paille
Chara-Hamilton
Bartkowski-Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuk
Rask
*Tonight's game will be aired on NESN+*
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