Going to be another tough one tonight.
Just the facts
When: Tonight, 7 PM
Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.
How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Opposing perspective: Japers’ Rink
Know your enemy
- 47-17-9, 103PTS, 1st in Metropolitan Division, 1st in Eastern Conference
- Dylan Strome: 23G-47A-70PTS; Aliaksei Protas: 30G-35A-65PTS; Alex Ovechkin: 37G-26A-63PTS
- Logan Thompson: 31-5-6, 2.43 GAA, .912 save percentage; Charlie Lindgren: 16-12-3-, 2.65 GAA, .900 save percentage
Game notes
- The Boston Bruins look for some life tonight, but it may be easier to say than do as the Eastern Conference leading Washington Capitals welcome the team back home after a long, and disappointing road trip.
- There’s really not much to say as the Bruins lost all five road games, capped off by a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. The Bruins are now on a eight-game losing streak, 0-7-1, since March 13.
- With March in the rearview and the last handful of games on tap, the Bruins were 3-10-1 during the month.
- Interim head coach Joe Sacco said after yesterday’s practice that the mindset has to be on winning a hockey game. He said there are opportunities for the new players and call-ups, but everyone has to still have pride to be a Bruin and recognize the privilege to play in the NHL.
- Well, wish Ovechkin would have scored a couple more goals these last handful of games because then at least Bruins’ fans may see history made. Regardless, Ovechkin is still on his path to pass Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. He’s five goals away now, with 890 career goals under his belt.
- The Capitals’ come to Boston on a three-game losing streak. They last played on Saturday, dropping to the Buffalo Sabres, 8-5.
- Injury updates: There is still no timeline on Charlie McAvoy getting back into the lineup, Sacco said after yesterday’s practice. McAvoy told media yesterday after practice that he’s just doing what he can right now to possibly get back in a game before the season ends. McAvoy recognized the Bruins are in a position that they haven’t been in for a while, but wants to get closer every day to build relationships with this group and new faces. He said it’s harder being a leader, only doing about half the work not being in a game, but rather on the sideline. Mark Kastelic also remains out.
- Yesterday, the Bruins recalled Providence forward Jeffrey Viel on an emergency basis. Viel has 12 goals and 22 assists with the Providence Bruins this season.
- Yesterday, the Capitals signed Boston College forward Ryan Leonard to a three-year, entry-level contract with a $950,000 AAV. He was the team’s 8th overall pick in the 2023 Draft.
- See ya tonight!