Preview: Bruins at Ducks 2/22

Just the facts:

Who: the Boston Bruins (30-23-6, 66 points, 5th in Atlantic, 9th in East)
visit the Anaheim Ducks (31-20-10, 72 points, 3rd in Pacific, 5th in West)

What: The first true road trip for the Cassidy Bruins.

Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA

When: 10:30 PM (Eastern) (sheesh. I'll need a nap today.)

How to follow: SportsNet, SN1, NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN Site: Anaheim Calling

Anaheim Leaders:

Points: Ryan Getzlaf, 45; Ryan Kesler close behind with 44

Goals: Rickard Rakell, 22

Assists: Getzlaf, 34

Shots: Corey Perry, 168

Boston Leaders:

Points: Brad Marchand, 59

Goals: Marchand, 25, and David Pastrnak, 25

Assists: Marchand, 34

Shots: Patrice Bergeron, 207

Game Notes

• The Ducks are middling in their record at the moment, going 3-6 in their last 9 games. They've won the 1-0 games but have lost the multi-goal games, so the B's need to pour a couple in and get ahead of Anaheim early.
• Two games ago, Anaheim poured in over 20 shots on the LA Kings, doubling them up by the end of the 2nd; however, they allowed 10 while landing just 8 more shots in the 3rd, and in a 1-0 game, that's a dangerous differential.
• The Ducks are still without Antoine Vermette, who decided that a poor faceoff was worth "slashing" a referee (read: firm leg-tap). He's been suspended for 10 games, but will have a hearing later this week to see if it will be reduced.
• Boston is 4-0 under interim coach Bruce Cassidy. Let's keep him undefeated as long as possible.
• The Ducks won the previous matchup between these teams by a score of 4-3 back in mid-December.

Never Forget:

A young, current Bruin (Matt Beleskey) gets a goal waved off. This is entertaining because this rule was fixed before this happened; Beleskey's hair; Marty Turco in the Boston net; and Boudreau's incredulousness. Enjoy.