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Game 32: Boston Bruins vs New Jersey Devils, Lines, Preview

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Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins (17-9-5, 39 pts, .650 points percentage) will try to snap a four-game losing streak against the New Jersey Devils (13-16-4, 30 pts, .455 points percentage) in the second game of their current two-game set at TD Garden.

After going 1-0-1 in their season-opening two-game set in New Jersey, the Boston Bruins have been unable to solve the Devils and more specifically goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. After Wedgewood shut the Bruins out 1-0 back on March 7, Blackwood (40 saves), did the exact same thing to the Black and Gold on Sunday night as the Bruins fell 1-0 to the Devils for a second-straight time. On Sunday, one could argue the Bruins were done in by two no-goal calls but head coach Bruce Cassidy was a.) not going to pin the loss on two late no-goal calls against the Bruins and b.) staying positive based on the dominant third period his team played

“There are other years where you can outscore some of those calls, but we’re not in that position right now clearly,” Cassidy said following the loss. “Every goal matter to us, so it’s tough when those [disallowed goals] happen. But it was another solid effort in the third where we outplayed the other team and tried to generate second and third chances against this guy, but it didn’t work out.”

The Bruins will look to build off that third period tonight and also welcome back two key players in defenseman Brandon Carlo and winger Brad Marchand. Marchand missed the last two games thanks to a streak of false positives that landed him on the NHL COVID List. Carlo has missed the last ten games with a concussion he suffered back on March 5 as the result of a headshot from Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson. Wilson was suspended for seven games.

Following the Boston Bruins game-day skate Tuesday, Carlo took the high road when given the chance to call out Wilson and was more focused on getting back in the lineup and helping his teammates bounce back with a win against the Devils tonight.

“I’m super excited to get back and play,” Carlo said. “I’ve had enough to of the viewing party from level nine. I’m excited to get back out there and help and be an enthusiastic voice on the bench.”

Cassidy confirmed that Jaro Halak (7-5-3, 2.17 GAA, .919 save percentage), will get the start tonight as Tuukka Rask remains sidelined with an upper-body injury.

Blackwood (9-9-4, 2.82, .911 save percentage) gets the nod for the Devils tonight.

Bruins Notes

-Forwards Sean Kuraly and Jake DeBrusk remained on the NHL COVID Protocol list Tuesday. Forward Ondrej Kase (concussion) is skating but there is no timetable for his return. Defenseman John Moore (undisclosed) is done for the season after undergoing hip surgery.

–The Bruins’ powerplay went 0-for-5 Sunday and have now gone 0-for-9 in their last two games. The Boston Bruins have not scored a power-play goal in 87:25 going back to when Steven Kampfer netted one the man-advantage at 17:35 of the first period last Thursday in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. They are now 22-for-98 on the man advantage this season. They’re 14th in the NHL with a 22.7 percent success rate.

-The PK killed off all four Devils powerplays on Sunday and remains the best in the NHL with an 89.2 percent success rate. They’ve killed off 91 of 102 powerplay attempts against them this season.

Devils Notes

-Devils forward Nathan Bastien is week-to-week with a knee injury and Nico Hischier is day-to-day with a head injury.

-The Devils’ powerplay is ranked 28th in the NHL with a 13.5 percent success rate. The Devils are 13-for-96 on the man advantage.

-The Devils’ penalty kill has a 73.2 percent success rate and is ranked 29th in the NHL. They’ve killed off 62 of 98 powerplay attempts against them.

Boston Bruins Lines

Forwards:

Brad Marchand- Patrice Bergeron- David Pastrnak

Nick Ritchie- David Krejci- Craig Smith

Anders Bjork- Charlie Coyle- Zach Senyshyn

Anton Blidh- Trent Frederic- Karson Kuhlman

Defense:

Matt Grzelcyk – Charlie McAvoy

Jeremy Lauzon – Connor Clifton

Jakub Zboril – Steven Kampfer

Goalies:

Jaro Halak

Dan Vladar

New Jersey Devils Lines

Forwards:

Janne Kuokkanen-Travis Zajac-Yegor Sharangovich

Jesper Bratt-Pavel Zacha-Kyle Palmieri

Jesper Boqvist-Jack Hughes-Andreas Johnsson

Mikhail Maltsev-Michael McLeod-Miles Wood

Defense:

Ty Smith-Damon Severson

Dmitry Kulikov-PK Subban

Ryan Murray-Sami Vatanen

Goalies:

Mackenzie Blackwood

Scoot Wedgewood

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