Bruins-Blackhawks Preview: Chicago Brings 7-Game Win Streak To TD Garden

BOSTON — The Chicago Blackhawks have arrived to TD Garden for their only regular-season meeting against the Bruins in Boston this season.

It’s a building where many special memories have been made for the Blackhawks, who clinched the 2013 Stanley Cup championship with a historic comeback in Game 6.

“They have a very similar lineup, the core group is still there,’ Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said after Thursday’s morning skate. “I think they got a couple of their top players getting healthy (Thursday), too. We’ll be ready for that. It’s always going to be a fun matchup against this team.”

The Bruins are coming of a tough Western Conference road trip in which they went 1-3-0, including an impressive 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes to close the trip Saturday night.

“We have to build from the effort we gave in Phoenix, and that’s the way we need to play,” Bruins center Patrice Bergeron said. “We want some results. Right now it’s about making sure we’re ready for Chicago, which is a big task for us and a big challenge.

“Every time you play anyone in the (Stanley Cup Final) it always builds a small rivalry. Every time you play each other again, it’s always tough battles and tough games. Chicago is definitely one of the teams that are a measuring stick for anyone in the league.”

The Blackhawks are on a season-high seven-game win streak and own the second-most road wins (10) in the NHL.

TV, Radio Information: NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub

Season Series: First meeting

Record: Boston (15-12-1, 5th in Atlantic), Chicago (19-8-1, 1st in Central)

Bruins Player To Watch: Brad Marchand was Boston’s best forward on the recent road trip and scored three goals with two assists in those four games. He likely will be matched up against Toews’ line (includes Brandon Saad and Marian Hossa), which is one of the best defensive trios in the league. If Marchand is able to generate offense for himself and his teammates against this tough defensive matchup, the Bruins will have a good chance of securing two points.

Blackhawks Player To Watch: Patrick Kane ranks first on Chicago in goals (12), second in assists (14), second in shots on goal (88) and first in scoring (26 points) through 28 games. He’s scored two goals with one assist in his last three games.

Kane is one of the league’s most exciting players and a threat to score on each shift with his excellent shot, elite playmaking skills and top-tier speed.

Key Stat For Bruins: If Chara does return, it should give the B’s a major boost from a puck possession standpoint.

The Bruins have a 55.1 Corsi-for percentage at 5-on-5 when Chara is in the lineup. Without him, that number drops to 51.2 percent, which is a decent decline. Chara himself has a 57.31 CF% at 5-on-5, which means Boston accounts for about 5.7 out of every 10 shot attempts when he’s on the ice. His ability to help the Bruins win the puck in their own zone and start the rush up ice is incredibly valuable.

Key Stat For Blackhawks: Chicago has the best penalty kill in the league with a 91.2 percent success rate, which includes a 91.3 percent mark on the road (also best in the league).

The Blackhawks also have scored two short-handed goals, a stat that Toews and Marchand led last season with five.