When faced with adversity in this redemption game against the Red Wings, the Bruins have to push back

The Bruins get another crack at redemption, following their 6-1 defeat on Friday nigh, this afternoon in Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Black and Gold in game two of this home-and-home, East vs, West season series inside the Joe Louis Arena in NBC’s Game of the Week at 12:30 p.m. EST.

“This is the opportunity that we have, we get another shot at these guys,” said Bruins head coach Claude Julien after Friday night’s loss. “I think it’s important that we go in there and play our game—play a lot better. At least that way, you see where you stand with teams like Detroit.

Who’s hot:

David Krejci: 1-6-7 scoring totals in his last six games, and 1-13-14 totals in his last 14 — has won 20-of-36 face-offs (55.6%) this week.
Milan Lucic: 7-3-10 in his last 11 contests
Zdeno Chara: 0-5-5 in his last six, and 5-9-14 in his last 16

Detroit:

Henrik Zetterberg: 1-3-4 in two-straight contests
Jiri Hudler: 2-3-5 in his last three, and 3-8-11 in his last 12
Danny Cleary: Three-game point streak with 1-3-4 totals
Johan Franzen: 8-1-9 in his last 11
Pavel Datsyuk: 1-2-3 totals in the three games since returning to the lineup from missing 19 games

Tuukka Rask, who rode the pine for the final period of Friday night’s debacle, could get the start today. The last time he was pulled from action — Jan. 1 in Buffalo after surrendering three goals on 16 first period shots — he followed-up with the start the very next game in Toronto…a 36-save, 2-1 victory over the Leafs. However the more logical choice would be for Tim Thomas (1-2-0, .919 SV%, 2.72 GAA all time vs. Detroit) to be in the cage this afternoon inside the Joe Louis Arena, giving Rask another crack at it in Boston against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.

They said it:

“If we play properly, if we play the way the Bruins play and we skate, absolutely. We can turn the tables,” said Bruins forward Mark Recchi after Friday night’s 6-1 loss to Detroit. “Sunday at 12:30 we have to be ready and be a lot different team. Show them what the Boston Bruins are really made of and make a good game of it.”

Just as the future Hall-of-Famer put it: if the Bruins come out today and play their game, then they’ve already given themselves a chance to win. Instead of skating around looking like they’d rather ask for the Wings’ autographs but to bury them into the boards, then, will the Bruins show the nation what they’re made of.

Not that they need a melee and triple-digit penalty minutes like Wednesday night’s fight-fest against Montreal. But establishing a solid forecheck and a physical style of game, as well as a sound defensive — and goaltending — game that their system is built upon, then the B’s could head back to Boston with the season-series tied 1-1.