Though their goal total was boosted by a 10-2 win over the New York Rangers last Saturday, the Bruins outscored opponents 22-5 during the homestand and scored third-period goals in three of those five games.
“I think we’ve been very steady actually,” Boston coach Marco Sturm said. “If you look at our third periods now, all five games at home, they’ve probably been one of the better ones. I think that’s the biggest reason (for the successful run). Just to be more consistent, stay calm and play better defensively. And obviously, our goalies were excellent.”
Get Starting Point
The Bruins avenged their lone regulation loss in the last nine games (7-1-1) with Thursday’s victory against Seattle, fueling off the pregame excitement of former captain and Hall of Fame defenseman Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 jersey retirement.
Defenseman Nikita Zadorov agreed with his coach’s sentiment about the strength of the team’s game — and providing that type of effort in honor of one of the strongest players in the history of the sport.
“You can see the success when everybody’s buying in for 60 minutes and we know what we’re doing on the ice. It’s exciting,” Zadorov said. “It was a big night (Thursday). It was probably one of the biggest games of the year and it’s great to get a win for Big Z for sure.”
After an emotional win, the Bruins turn their attention to the Blackhawks. Here’s the preview:
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -120. O/U: 6.0.
BRUINS
Season record: 27-19-2. vs. spread: 32-16. Over/under: 25-22, 1 push
Last 10 games: 7-2-1. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 3-6, 1 push
BLACKHAWKS
Season record: 19-21-7. vs. spread: 31-16. Over/under: 19-26, 2 pushes
Last 10 games: 5-4-1. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 3-6, 1 push
TEAM STATISTICS
Goals scored: Boston 157, Chicago 129
Goals allowed: Boston 147, Chicago 146
Power play: Boston 24.6%, Chicago 22.2%
Penalty minutes: Boston 658, Chicago 487
Penalty kill: Boston 78.8%, Chicago 85.1%
Faceoffs won: Boston 52.3%, Chicago 47.2%
Stat of the day: xxx
Notes: The Bruins expect that defenseman Andrew Peeke will be able to travel with the team after leaving Thursday’s game in the first period with a lower-body injury. … Chicago is coming off a 3-1 Thursday loss to the Calgary Flames, marking its third straight home defeat and third in the past four games overall to drop six points below the playoff cut line in the Western Conference. Former Bruin and current Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno scored Chicago’s only goal, while Spencer Knight made 20 saves. Chicago’s penalty kill is the NHL’s second-best (85%), but allowed a goal for the first time in 17 opportunities. … Saturday marks the third of a four-game homestand for Chicago.
Cam Kerry can be reached at [email protected].
