The Boston Bruins will host the New York Islanders Thursday
night. This tilt comes less than 24 hours after the B’s were able to knock off
New Jersey in a thrilling 5-4 victory. This meeting will mark the third and
final game between these two clubs this season. The Bruins handily beat the
Islanders 4-2 on January 25 and then again 4-1 on February 26.
Both Boston and New York have won 4 of their last 5 tilts
and are two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference. The Black-and-Gold
have battled their way back into first place in the Northeast and have regained
the second overall spot in the Conference. The Isles on the other hand are
putting together quite an impressive campaign themselves. They are currently
situated in a tie for second place in the Atlantic and sixth in the Eastern
Conference with the neighboring Rangers.
The Islanders are seeking their first playoff appearance
since the 2006-2007 season and are poised to do so. Defeating the Bruins would
be a huge step for a young squad looking to gauge exactly where they stand
amongst the East’s juggernauts. But winning in Boston will be by no means easy.
The B’s have been lights out on home ice, boasting a 14-2-2 record at the
Garden. Already without Patrice Bergeron, the loss of leading scorer Brad
Marchand will make the Isles chances significantly more favorable.
For the Bruins, the likes of Rich Peverley, Greg Campell,
Jaromir Jagr, and Chris Kelly will look to build on recent success. Peverley
has tallied 4 points (1G, 3A) in his last two games, this coming after Claude
Julien designated him for line four duties. Greg Campell has seen a jump in his
production since being promoted up to line two. The 29-year-old pivot man has 2
goals and 2 assists in his last two. Jaromir Jagr has also chipped in 4 assists of
his own this week. Since returning from injury, Chris Kelly has been by far one of Boston’s top defensive players and best face-off men. Kelly played an
integral role in killing off 8 New Jersey penalties Wednesday night.
John Tavares and Matt Moulson, two of the NHL’s up and
coming stars, will look to lead New York in this one. Tavares leads the Isles
with 24 goals and is among the league leaders in scoring. Moulson, his line
mate, has amounted 26 assists on the year and has shown great chemistry playing
alongside the New York center man. Moulson has proven to be a thorn in the B’s
side of the course of his career, averaging a point per game in the 14 games he
has opposed them.
Adam Mcquaid is expected back for this showdown and should
help sure up a Bruins defensive corps that has looked shaky lately. In
allowing 2 third period goals against the Devils and Canes, the B’s d-men have
shown signs of fatigue, after engaging in numerous back and forth contests.
Mcquaid has not played since March 19. He will surely add some pep to the
Boston skating game and bring some added physicality to a group that has been
seemingly lacking in that department.
Boston will look to keep their streaking, red-hot offense going,
as they will be in search of their third straight victory. Tuukka Rask will
likely get that start. Rask has been dominant, beating New York twice this
season and posting a 1.50 GAA against them. The B’s can clinch a playoff spot by
securing at least one point tonight and getting help from a Winnipeg Jets loss.
Projected lines:
Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Jaromir
Jagr
Jay Pandolfo-Chris Kelly-Tyler
Seguin
Jordan Caron-Rich Peverley-Shawn Thornton
Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton
Adam McQuaid-Dennis Seidenberg
Andrew Ference-Johnny Boychuk
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin
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