Bruins-Ducks Preview: B's Host Stanley Cup Contender In Must-Win Game

BOSTON — The Bruins aim to end their five-game skid (0-3-2) Thursday night at TD Garden when they host the Anaheim Ducks, who are tied with the St. Louis Blues atop the Western Conference standings.

Even though the Ducks come into this matchup with two straight losses and 12 goals against in that span, they present plenty of problems with four good lines, speed on the blue line and quality goaltending.

“I think everybody knows they’re a good team,” Bruins head coach Claude Julien said. “Offensively, they can score goals just around the net. You have to respect the offensive part of their game.

“It’s important that we try to get out of our end as quick as possible and try and spend as much time in the offensive zone. I know it sounds kind of boring, but that’s the key to beating this team. You don’t want to spend too much time in your own end when they have guys that can handle the puck well and they’re dangerous in tight around the net area. You got guys at the blue line that can shoot the puck just as good.”

This is Boston’s final game against a Western Conference opponent in the regular season and the first matchup in a two-game homestand that concludes Saturday.

Here’s a preview of Bruins-Ducks:

TV, Radio Information: NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub

Season Series: Anaheim 1-0

Record: Boston (36-25-12, fifth in Atlantic), Anaheim (46-22-7, first in Pacific)

Bruins Player To Watch: David Krejci (left MCL injury) is expected to return against the Ducks after missing the last 15 games, but the veteran center is likely to play on the wing if he does enter the lineup. Krejci skated at right wing alongside Bergeron and Brad Marchand during the morning skate.

“We’ll see,” Krejci said when asked about returning. “I’m going to take the warmup and if I feel good, good enough to help the team, then I’ll be in.”

Injuries have limited Krejci to just 38 games this season. He’s posted 36 points (seven goals, 19 assists).

Ducks Player To Watch: Ducks right winger Corey Perry is one of the league’s premier power forwards and has scored 31 goals this season to lead his team. He ranks ninth in the league in goals scored despite playing in just 60 games because of injuries and the mumps earlier in the campaign. His three hat tricks are more than any other player.

Perry has tallied five points (three goals, two assists) in his last five games and enters Thursday’s game with seven points (four goals, three assists) in 10 career games against the Bruins.

Key Stat For Bruins: Boston has a 21-10-6 record at TD Garden this season, a much better mark than its 15-15-6 showing on the road. The Bruins have only four home games (nine total) left in the regular season and they end the campaign with a three-game road trip. Therefore it’s quite important that the B’s take care of business Thursday night and collect as many points as possible in front of their fans.

Key Stat For Ducks: Despite tons of talent up and down the roster, the Ducks are not very effective on special teams. They rank 25th in power-play percentage and have scored on just one of their last 12 opportunities with the man advantage. Anaheim’s penalty ranks 20th and has given up a goal in six of the last seven games.