Game Day preview: Bruins at Coyotes
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The Boston Bruins will head into Arizona Saturday night looking for their first win streak of the 2015-16 season after notching their first win of the season Wednesday night against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Black and Gold put forth by far their best and most complete effort in a 6-2 victory. Kevan Miller, Jimmy Hayes, Tyler Randell, Chris Kelly and Ryan Spooner all picked up their first goals of the season while Jonas Gustavsson picked up his first win as a Bruin.
The Coyotes are coming off their first loss of the season Thursday night as they were defeated by the Minnesota Wild, 4-3. The surprisingly hot Coyotes have allowed just six goals in four games.
Puck drop: 10:00 P.M.
Records: Bruins 1-3-0 (2 points) Coyotes 3-1-0 (6 points)
TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Location: Gila River Arena
Bruins projected lines:
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Loui Eriksson
Matt Beleskey-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Chris Kelly-Ryan Spooner-Jimmy Hayes
Zac Rinaldo-Joonas Kemppainen-Tyler Randell
Zdeno Chara-Kevan Miller
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Tommy Cross-Colin Miller
Tuukka Rask
Jonas Gustavsson
Coyotes projected lines:
Max Domi-Antoine Vermette-Mikkel Boedker
Tobias Rieder-Martin Hanzal-Anthony Duclair
Kyle Chipchura-Brad Richardson-Shane Doan
Jordan Martinook-Boyd Gordon-Steve Downie
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Michael Stone
Nicklas Grossmann-Zbynek Michalek
Klas Dahlbeck-Stefan Elliot
Mike Smith
Anders Lindback
Matchup to watch: Coyotes’ young guns against Bruins forwards
Defensive whiz Patrice Bergeron will have the difficult task of helping out the Bruins young defensemen in slowing down Arizona’s speedy and skillful forwards. (Photo credit: Joe Makarski/Bruins Daily)
Much of the reason the Coyotes have gotten off to such a fast start has been thanks to the play of their new, young dynamic duo. 20-year olds Anthony Duclair and Max Domi have stolen the show in Arizona as they’ve combined for five goals and four assists in the first four games of the season. Playing on separate lines, Duclair and Domi are using their skill and speed to create space. The two young guns like to use the middle of the ice to generate office and generate scoring chances. Reigning back-to-back Selke Award winner Patrice Bergeron will have to be his usual self defensively as he looks to clog the middle and force the Coyotes forwards to the outside.
Storyline to watch: Can the third line build off of Wednesday’s success?
Jimmy Hayes and the Bruins hope to build off the momentum built in Wednesday’s win over the Avalanche. (Photo credit: Joe Makarski/Bruins daily)
In Wednesday’s win over the Avalanche, the Bruins’ third line of Chris Kelly, Ryan Spooner and Jimmy Hayes finally broke out of their slump, carrying the Bruins to victory with a combined seven points. As the B’s look for more consistency from their forwards, the Spooner line hopes to build off the momentum and confidence gained in Wednesday’s win.
The chemistry was there for the trio as we saw some pretty passing and perfect puck movement. Matching up against an Arizona team that plays very well in their own end, the Bruins will need all four lines rolling in order to sweep their two-game road trip.