Game preview: Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

November 10, 12:01 AMBoston Bruins ExaminerMark Marino

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The Bruins wrapped-up the week with a 1-1-1 record while saving their best game for last. After a 2-0 shutout loss to the Detroit Red Wings and 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Bruins beat-up the Buffalo Sabres, 4-2, at the TD Garden.

Now, the real test starts tonight against the Eastern Conference leaders, Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite their 12-5-0 record, the reigning Stanley Cup champs are 2-3-0 in their last five games, and will be without a number of their best players. Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, and Tyler Kennedy  are just a few of the injured Pens for tonight's contest.

Along with the injuries, the Penguins could be the match-up the Bruins have been waiting for to string together their first back-to-back victories of the season. Pittsburgh's No. 1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has been roughed-up as of late, allowing 13 goals, with a 1-3-0 record in his last four stars.

This nationally televised event will air on Versus at 7pm ET, and can be heard online at 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Home Team: Boston Bruins (7-7-2, 16 points, 3rd Northeast Division, 10th Eastern Conference)

Who's Hot: Last week's three stars of the week: The Bruins goaltending and Patrice Bergeron in particular.

With a 1-1-1 record last week, Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas combined for 77 saves on 82 shots—good for roughly .939 save-precentage and 1.67 goals-against average in the past three games. Rask is 2-0-1 in his last three stars with 83 saves on 88 shots against, including one shutout. Goaltending was my "What to watch for" in Saturday's game preview, so look for the hot streak to continue.

Who's not:  I'm still waiting for the day that we see No. 55 Johnny Boychuk switch roles with No. 48, Matt Hunwick. It has been time to put Hunwick under the "healthy scratch" column, and sub-in Boychuk for a few weeks now, at least for a game or two. Hunwick is now point-less in his last seven games with a minus-3 rating, and just three shots on net.

His smaller stature is proving difficult for the 24-year-old to handle the larger opposing forwards around the net, and continues to make numerous mistakes in his own end. The Bruins defeated the Sabres 4-2 on Saturday night, but Hunwick looked lost and stationary out there on Buffalo's second goal, 4-on-4, by Jason Pominville with under two minutes remaining in the game. The video of the goal should still be here.

What to watch for: Special teams. The Bruins snapped an 0-for-20 skid on the power play with not one, but two power play goals on Saturday night—from Recchi and Chara. Still having a lot of work to do with the man-advantage—8-for-58—watch for the B's to continue their scoring momentum.

Boston's penalty-kill has been lights-out over the past three weeks. On Oct. 20, (nine games) the Bruins were ranked 27th in the NHL with a 69.7% (10 goals against on 33 times short) on the penalty-kill. Now, the Bruins' 81.4% (11-for-59) is currently ranked 14th in the league—one goal against in their last 26 times short-handed.

Who to watch for: Marco Sturm finally lit the lamp for the first time since Oct. 8 on Saturday night, snapping a 14-game scoreless drought. The former (San Jose Sharks) first-round draft pick now has 3-5-8 and is tied for the team lead with 41 shots on goal. Watch for Sturm to continue his offensive prowl, especially after losing that "A' that was stitched on his sweater, while also losing a bit of time on the power play.

Unsung player: On Saturday, I pegged Shawn Thornton as the player, "Who to watch for". No. 22 had 16 hits last week through three games, and engaged in his first fighting major since Oct. 24, on Saturday night against the Sabres. His physical battles on the ice, extra effort on every shift, and fearless way of policing the ice gives his teammates' that extra spark when needed. Although notching just one assist last week, the type of style and play that Thornton contibutes (not on the box score) makes him the under-the-radar player.

Line combinations:

Marco Sturm—Patrice Bergeron—Mark Recchi
Blake Wheeler—Vladimir Sobotka—Michael Ryder
Daniel Paille—Steve Begin—Brad Marchand
Shawn Thornton—Trent Whitfield—Byron Bitz

Zdeno Chara—Derek Morris
Matt Hunwick—Dennis Wideman
Andrew Ference—Mark Stuart

Tuukka Rask—Tim Thomas

Injury report: Milan Lucic, on the LTIR with a broken right index finger, is eyeing a Nov. 19 return against the Atlanta Thrashers. Marc Savard LRIT with a broken right foot. David Krejci, H1N1 virus, was back at practice yesterday and should be back in the line-up tonight.

If so, Krejci would assume his second-line duties with Ryder and Wheeler...Sobotka would be shifted back to the third-line with Marchand and Paille...bye bye Whitfield, as Begin will center Thornton and Bitz on the fourth-line.

Away team: Pittsburgh Penguins (12-5-0, 24 points, 1st Atlantic Division, 1st Eastern Conference)

For detailed info on the Pittsburgh Penguins, Shawn McCullough is a must read. Here are a few teasers from his latest preview:

• After starting the season 8-1, the Penguins have been hit hard recently with keys injuries...
• D Sergei Gonchar – broken left wrist – Out until the end of November/beginning of December
  
• C Evgeni Malkin – strained shoulder - Out until mid to late November
  
• RW Tyler Kennedy – lower body injury – day to day
  
• D Kris Letang – upper body injury – day to day
  
• C Max Talbot – torn rotator cuff – Out until the end of November/beginning of December
  
• The Penguins and Bruins are tied 4-4 over the last two seasons… The Pens are just 3-6-1 in Boston over the last five seasons…

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