The Boston Bruins have lost four straight games (0-2-2) following a disappointing 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday night.
Boston ends its three-game road trip on Sunday with an early-evening matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning, an opponent the B’s have defeated twice already this season.
Sunday’s game is the start of a difficult week for the Bruins that also includes games against Stanley Cup contenders the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers.
Here’s a quick preview of Bruins-Lightning:
TV, Radio Information: NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub
Season Series: Boston 2-0
Record: Boston (36-24-12, fourth in Atlantic), Tampa Bay (44-21-7, second in Atlantic)
Bruins Player To Watch: Tuukka Rask will need to carry the Bruins to a victory against the Lightning — the highest scoring team in the NHL at 3.2 goals per game.
He made 26 saves on 27 shots in Saturday’s loss and has posted a .939 save percentage in eight March starts. Unfortunately for Rask, his margin for error is incredibly slim because Boston has scored an average of just 2.25 goals per game in front of him this month.
Rask is 2-0-0 with a .911 save percentage against the Lightning this season.
Lightning Player To Watch: Nikita Kucherov is enjoying a breakout season for the Lightning and ranks second on the team in goals with 26. The Russian winger has formed remarkable chemistry with linemates Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat, which has given the Lightning the best second line in the league.
Kucherov has tallied four points (three goals, one assist) in nine March games and has one point in two games against the Bruins this season. His speed, excellent shot and power-play skill could pose problems for a Bruins blue line that might be without Dougie Hamilton on Sunday.
Key Stat For Bruins: Boston’s play on special teams has been one of the few positives over the last two games. The Bruins have scored on the power play in back-to-back games with a perfect 6-for-6 mark on the penalty kill in that span.
Key Stat For Lightning: Tampa Bay ranks among the best puck-possession teams with a 53.2 Corsi-for percentage at even strength, the fourth-best mark in the league. Not only are the Lightning driving possession, they also lead the league with a 9.73 shooting percentage. Tampa Bay creates a lot of scoring chances and has the skill to bury them, which is a dangerous combination for any group of defensemen.
Thumbnail photo via Mike Carlson/Associated Press
