This is a new season, and the Bruins must embrace and seize that Friday night if they are to turn around this mini-slump.
The Bruins (2-3-0) face their first road test of the season against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena. This is the start of a quick two-game trip that finishes in Phoenix on Saturday night.
Head coach Claude Julien shuffled his lines around and isn’t giving any hint of whom he will start in net, but one thing is for sure: Julien wants things to change, and he wants them to change starting Friday night. Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley will have the call as always, while Naoko Funayama will be down at ice level for what should be a competitive game.
When and Where
Friday, Oct. 16, 8:30 p.m. ET (NESN)
American Airlines Arena, Dallas, Texas
Records
Bruins (2-3-0), 4 points. Tied for 3rd in the Northeast Division, tied for 10th in Eastern Conference
Stars (2-0-3), 7 points. Tied for 2nd in the Pacific Division, tied for 6th in Western Conference
Head to Head
This is the first and only meeting between the Bruins and Stars this season. Last season, the Bruins routed the Stars 5-1 at the TD Garden on Nov. 1. The game had numerous fights and brawls, and the two teams amassed 146 penalty minutes.
The Bruins are 72-27-23-2 in the lifetime series with the Stars.
Skinny
The Bruins have been outscored 19-16 in their first five games.
The Bruins are averaging three goals per game and are allowing 3.80 goals per game
The Bruins' power play went 0-for-5 for the second straight game and is now just 4-for-29 on the season. They are scoring at a 13.8 percent clip on the man advantage.
The Bruins' penalty kill struggled again as well, allowing the Avalanche power play to go 2-3. Boston is now killing off opponents’ power plays at a 69.2 percent clip.
The Stars have outscored their opponents 20-11 through five games.
The Stars are averaging four goals per game and allowing 2.20 goals per game.
The Stars are 6-for-23 on the power play this season and scoring at a 23.1 percent clip on the man advantage.
The Stars' penalty kill is killing off their opponents’ power plays at a 65.0 percent clip.
Projected Lineups
Bruins
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Sturm | Marc Savard | Michael Ryder |
| Milan Lucic | David Krejci | Blake Wheeler |
| Mark Recchi | Patrice Bergeron | Chuck Kobasew |
| Shawn Thornton | Steve Begin | Byron Bitz |
| Defenseman | |
|---|---|
| Zdeno Chara | Derek Morris |
| Andrew Ference | Mark Stuart |
| Matt Hunwick | Johnny Boychuk |
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Tim Thomas |
| Tukka Rask |
Stars
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| James Neal | Brad Richards | Louis Eriksson |
| Brendan Morrow | Mike Ribeiro | Jamie Benn |
| Brian Sutherby | Tom Wandell | Fabian Brunnstrom |
| Krystopher Barch | Toby Petersen | Jere Lehtinen |
| Defenseman | |
|---|---|
| Niklas Grossman | Stephane Robidas |
| Karlis Skrastins | Trevor Daley |
| Jeff Woywitka | Matt Kiskanen |
| Goaltenders |
|---|
| Marty Turco |
| Alex Auld |
Goaltender Matchup
Bruins
Tim Thomas is 1-2-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .868 save percentage.
Tuukka Rask is 1-1-0 with a 3.39 GAA and .883 save percentage.
Stars
Marty Turco is 1-0-3 with a 2.12 GAA and .913 save percentage.
Alex Auld is 1-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .913 save percentage.
Stat Sheet
Bruins
Center Marc Savard (two goals, three assists) leads the Bruins with five points.
Winger Michael Ryder (two goals, two assists) has four points.
Center Steve Begin has four assists.
Winger Marco Sturm (two goals, one assist) has three points.
Winger Blake Wheeler (two goals, one assist) has three points.
Center Patrice Bergeron (one goal, two assists) has three points.
Winger Milan Lucic has three assists.
Defenseman Matt Hunwick (two goals, one assist) also has three points.
Stars
Center Brad Richards (three goals, six assists) leads the team with nine points.
Winger Brendan Morrow (four goals, three assists) has seven points.
Center Mike Ribiero (two goals, five assists) has seven points.
Winger James Neal (three goals, four assists) has seven points.
Black and Blue
Bruins
Defenseman Dennis Wideman is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Stars
Center Mike Modano is day-to-day with a rib injury
Forward Steve Ott is out at least a week with an oblique muscle injury
This Date In Bruins History
On Oct. 16, 1949, NHL president Clarence Campbell presents the Lady Byng Trophy to Bill Quakenbush, the first defenseman to receive the honor. For the first time, the Garden ice is painted white for ease in following the puck. The Bruins tie the Rangers 2-2.
Overheard
“We talked about it and addressed a lot of different things that we can do to get better a lot over the last few days. We’ve talked about it a bunch. Now it’s time to not do so much talk, and go out and do it.”
–Bruins forward Milan Lucic
Press Box
Bruins
Hopefully, a little time away from the TD Garden and the demands of home can cure what ails the Bruins, as Kathryn Tappen points out.
The Bruins are ready for an improved Stars team.
The Bruins shook things up this week in practice.
Michael Ryder is hoping to fit in on the top line with Marco Sturm and Marc Savard.
Defenseman Dennis Wideman won’t be on this road trip.
Stars
The Dallas Stars are building a new identity.
The Stars are benefiting from new head coach Marc Crawford’s attack system.
Defenseman Karlis Skrastins is one of the best shot blockers in the NHL.
NHL
Sabres sniper Thomas Vanek won’t be out as long as originally expected.
More and more teams are throwing their biggest players in front of the net and exploiting the not-so-new rules that were implemented after the lockout. Milan Lucic, pay attention.
Toronto GM Brian Burke hasn’t given up on his team just yet.
Lucic’s biggest nemesis isn’t using his head the right way.
Outlook
The Bruins look to return to form and get back to the two-way game they’re capable of playing. If they can fix that, look for them to draw more penalties and focus on jump-starting the power play. Boston has been woeful on the man advantage and will be looking to cycle the puck and get bodies in front against a tough Dallas defense that likes to block shots. Patience will be key because of this, and the defensemen must be smart with their shots.
Chances are, not all of that goes perfectly, but the key will be for the Bruins to stick to their game plan no matter how the game unravels. Too many times the Bruins have fallen behind and strayed from their game plan, causing them to take risky chances that they don’t normally take. They should be hungrier, not desperate. This will be another early test for the Bruins, but if they play to their strengths and stick to the plan, they may be able to win their first road game of the season and snap out of their early season doldrums.
