Game Preview: Bruins vs. Leafs

Just the Facts:

Time: 7:00pm EST

Place: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Place to Watch: NESN

Place to Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Opposing SBNation Blog: Pension Plan Puppets

The Opposing Team:

Leading Scorer - Auston Matthews 40 pts (23g, 17a), William Nylander 38 pts (10g, 28A), Mitch Marner 35 pts (8g, 27A)

Standings - 3rd in Atlantic (30-18-5, 65 pts)

Game Notes:

• Rask should be back in net after a strong performance Thursday. Rask is 15-6-2 against the team that drafted him, with a 2.11GAA and .925SV%
• The Leafs may be without Ron Hainsey and Roman Polak as they battle illness. Their status is uncertain thanks to a clear as mud CBA.
• The Leafs have won 4 in a row going into tonight’s match after a bit of a slump.
• The Leafs can score, they find themselves 7th in the NHL at 3.13GF/GP but they aren’t world beaters on the defensive end where they find themselves 14th at 2.79GA/GP.
• The Leafs special teams (20.7%PP, 83.3%PK) are almost a carbon copy of the Bruins (21.2PP%, 83.2%PK)
• Boston will be without a suspended Brad Marchand yet again, while Charlie McAvoy is questionable as he recovers from his heart procedure.
• Toronto starter Frederik Andersen should be in net for the Leafs. He brings a 25-14-4 record to go along with a 2.61GAA and .922SV%. Believe it or not, he is perfect against the Bruins (9-0) with a 1.88GAA and a sterling .944SV%.
• The Bruins put forth a fairly lackluster effort versus the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday that resulted in the end of their 18 game point streak, but followed it up with a great game Thursday. Can they build on that momentum and get their first win against Anderson? Tune in at 7:00 to find out and don’t forget to follow along on Twitter at @cupofchowdah and @cbeswick

Never Forget:

2016-2017 Fight of the Year nominee