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Bruins vs. Devils 1/16/21 PREVIEW: Once more, with feeling

Coming fresh off an overtime victory, the B’s are back at the Prudential Center to do this thing all over again.

By SkyonAir
Boston Bruins v New Jersey Devils Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Just the Facts:

The Time: 1pm EST

The Place: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

Place to Watch: NESN, Sportsnet, NHLN

Place to Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub

The Opposing SBNation Blog: All About The Jersey

Know Your Enemy:

  • The current leader in points for the Devils after a single game is Jack Hughes, who was credited with both Miles Wood’s goal and also Ty Smith’s ridiculous bounce around silliness.
  • Mackenzie Blackwood should receive some form of compensation for being treated like he often is by the Devils defense. That said, his first game back ended in a .946 SV%, so it’s clear he’s up to the challenge.
  • The Devils didn’t play all that well in their initial period back, but they also came back big time preying on Boston’s rustiness and...well...lack of preseason games to shake loose the rust. They can’t be completely counted out for any reason.

Game Preview:

The Bruins are obviously a bit rusty, and still dealing with the after effects of everyone’s favorite Bruins Thing: Early Season Injury/Surgery recovery periods, but with only one game under their belts, there’s still plenty of things to be quite excited about: Zboril looked like he was gelling well, Kevan Miller looked like he hadn’t spent over a year on the injured reserve list, Nick Ritchie didn’t look completely useless, Charlie McAvoy looked like a complete burner, and it appears Tuukka Rask is indeed ready and dialed in.

But if there’s one thing I could at least harp on for a minute...it’s this. Boston didn’t protect their goalie at all last game, the defensive gaffes gave the impression not everybody is exactly giving it their all, or that their all isnt good enough. Today’s goal of the game (y’know, other than two points) should be showing more restraint on the defensive end.

But still, can Boston find a good life balance on their young defense? Will Craig Smith get a chance to play or will his lower body injury continue to keep him out of the lineup? Let’s find out together after lunch!