The Detroit Red Wings earned a 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday at TD Garden, and the Atlantic division rivals will meet again Friday night, this time at Joe Louis Arena.
Let’s take a look at three things to watch for in Boston’s third game of the preseason.
Zane McIntyre Looks to Impress
McIntyre was one of college hockey’s best goalies during his time at North Dakota from 2012 through 2015. Last season was his first full campaign in the AHL, and he had an up-and-down debut. McIntyre posted a solid 14-8-7 record, but his .898 save percentage was a bit disappointing.
He’s one of two Bruins goalies who will dress for Friday’s tilt — Anton Khudobin is the other — and it will serve as a good opportunity for him to impress the coaching staff and prove he should be the No. 1 goalie in Providence to begin the season.
Another Step for Joe Morrow?
Morrow is the only player remaining from the Tyler Seguin trade with the Dallas Stars in 2013. He’s the type of mobile, playmaking defenseman that is able to excel in the fast-paced NHL of 2016. He just needs more ice time.
With 48 games of NHL experience, the time is now for Morrow to solidify a top-six spot and help the Bruins push the pace and provide much-needed offensive production from the blue line. Just two B’s defensemen — Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara — tallied 20 or more points last season.
Jimmy Hayes Hoping for a Bounce Back
Hayes was acquired by the Bruins in a trade with the Florida Panthers involving Reilly Smith last summer, and he didn’t make the kind of impact many envisioned during his first season in Boston.
The veteran winger tallied 29 points in 75 games — six points fewer than the previous campaign. He also failed to record a point in the final 16 games as the Bruins battled for a playoff spot.
Hayes recorded a nice assist in the first preseason game Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and was among Boston’s better players. Hopefully for the B’s, it was a sign of things to come.
Thumbnail photo via Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports Images
