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Preview: Bruins look for consistency, to stay healthy in game against Rangers tonight

The Bruins open the first of their last two regular season games against the Rangers.

By Angelina.Berube
New York Rangers v Boston Bruins Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 7:00 PM

Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA

How to follow: NESN, NBCSN, SN360, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: Blueshirt Banter

Know your enemy

  • 26-22-6, 58 points, 5th in the East Division
  • Mika Zibanejad: 54GP, 22G, 26A, 48PTS; Ryan Strome: 54GP, 14G, 33A, 47PTS; Adam Fox: 53GP, 5G, 42A, 47PTS
  • Igor Shesterkin: 15-13-3, 2.53 GAA, .918 save percentage; Alexandar Georgiev: 8-7-2, 2.71, .905

Game notes

  • The Boston Bruins are back at home to open their last season series against the New York Rangers tonight. The Bruins are 4-2 against the Rangers this season and 1-1 against them at the TD Garden. Both home games had the same score, but different outcome, as the Bruins shut out the Rangers, 4-0, on March 11 and then the Rangers blanked the Bs, 4-0, on March 13.
  • It’s been an eventful, few days for the Rangers organization. With the Bruins’ win over the New Jersey Devils on Monday, the Rangers were no longer in playoff contention. They lost Artemi Panarin to injury following Monday’s loss to the Washington Capitals and the incident that occurred with Tom Wilson. The Rangers issued a statement on Twitter about the play and called out George Parros. Yesterday, team president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton were fired.
  • David Pastrnak is STILL looking for that milestone 200th goal. Since April 3, Pastrnak has netted five goals in 19 games. His longest stretch in that time without potting a goal was seven games. Against the Rangers, he has one goal and four assists in the six games against them.
  • Sean Kuraly’s move to third line center has been impactful these last few games, helping both his game and his linemates. Kuraly is currently on a three-game point streak with two goals and one assist. Nick Ritchie has two goals and one assist in his last three games. Between, Kuraly, Ritchie and Charlie Coyle, the line has accounted for 24 shots in the last three games.
  • One of the biggest things for the remainder of the season will be keeping the consistency of the third and fourth lines flowing so they’ll be able to build on that for the playoffs. The bottom six see to be identifying their needed roles in the lineup right now.
  • But there’s some unknown, which could affect the chemistry of at least the third line. The Bruins had an off day yesterday and subsequently there’s been no updates on Charlie Coyle, who exited Tuesday’s game after being hit by a shot from Brandon Carlo. More information on his status will likely be provided after morning skate.
  • Bruce Cassidy had said Tuukka Rask would likely start two of the final five games. He also noted Rask wouldn’t start the last game of the season against the Capitals. With four games left now, that likely means Rask would get tonight’s start and Jeremy Swayman in net for Saturday.
  • Another big thing for these final games: stay healthy and avoid injuries. Brad Marchand had a scary moment on Tuesday crashing into the boards. Hopefully Cassidy will be rotating some guys in and out of the lineup with these games to give them rest and that much less of injury risks.

See ya tonight!