Game Day preview: Bruins vs. Devils
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The Boston Bruins will look for their fifth straight victory on Monday night as they host Jaromir Jagr and the New Jersey Devils.
The Black and Gold weathered the storm against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night scoring four goals in the third period including two power-play goals off the sticks off Carl Soderberg and Dougie Hamilton just 1:09 apart to give the B’s a 5-2 victory.
On Boston.com: Bruins take advantage of power plays vs. Oilers
It seems as if the Bruins are getting a little healthier with Torey Krug a game-time decision and Kevan Miller back on the ice practicing, but David Warsofsky went down with a groin strain and David Krejci (lower-body) is out again Monday night.
The hits keep on coming for the B’s, but they are not letting it affect their play. The Black and Gold have not let up more than two goals in any contest since the Minnesota Wild debacle, and have since won four in a row.
Here is your complete Bruins-Devils preview:
Gametime: 7:00 PM
TV/Radio: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 9-6-0, 18 points/ Devils 6-6-2, 14 points
Location: TD Garden
Bruins’ projected lines:
Milan Lucic-Chris Kelly-Seth Griffith
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Reilly Smith
Matt Fraser-Carl Soderberg-Loui Eriksson
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Simon Gagne
Dennis Seidenberg-Dougie Hamilton
Joe Morrow-Adam McQuaid
Matt Bartkowski-Zach Trotman
Tuukka Rask
Niklas Svedberg
Devils’ projected lines:
Michael Cammalleri-Travis Zajac-Jaromir Jagr
Martin Havlat-Patrik Elias-Michael Ryder
Dainius Zubrus-Jacob Josefson-Damien Brunner
Tuomo Ruutu-Stephen Gionta-Steve Bernier
Andy Greene-Damon Severson
Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky
Eric Gelinas-Adam Larsson
Corey Schneider
Keith Kinkaid
Who to watch for Bruins: Carl Soderberg
In the absence of Krejci, Soderberg is one of the players that must carry the load on Monday night against the Devils.
Soderberg has been consistent all season long leading the Black and Gold with 12 points (4G, 8A) with a plus-2 rating. Over the Bruins four-game winning streak, the Swede has compiled one goal and four assists with a plus-4 rating.
Playing upwards of 16 minutes per contest, Soderberg has proven to be one of the B’s most reliable players along with Patrice Bergeron in the midst of injuries and he will have to play a major role Monday night if the B’s want to extend their win streak to five games.
Who to watch for Devils: Jaromir Jagr
It wasn’t too long ago Jaromir Jagr was donning a Bruins sweater at TD Garden. Now, he comes in as he’s done many times before, as an opposing player.
Jagr brings experience and play-making ability, but the Black and Gold already know that. He comes in with two goals and seven assists on the season. The 42 year-old works along the walls well so the B’s will have to be up to the task. He holds on to the puck and waits for plays to develop so it is up to the B’s to give him little room to operate or else he will make something happen.
Playing the tight defense that Tuukka Rask and Claude Julien preach each and every night will need to come into fruition against Jagr and the Devils, or the longtime veteran may, once again, find his name on the scoresheet.
Game day Edge: Have the next man up attitude
It is the mindset of the New England Patriots, but the Bruins must have the same mentality.
Next man up.
Warsofsky is out and Krug is a game-time decision, so Matt Bartkowski needs to be ready to roll even though he enjoyed some time off. With Krejci nursing a lower-body injury, Matt Fraser needs to bring the intensity that he brought against the Ottawa Senators where he netted two goals.
It goes down the line for the Black and Gold. They have more than enough depth even with all of the injuries and it shows. The B’s will be going for their fifth straight victory without the likes of Chara, Miller, Krejci and perhaps Krug.