The Boston Bruins look to continue their strong play to finish out 2018 with a two-game week before the 2019 Winter Classic.
Boston went 3-1-0 over its last four games with victories against the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators. The Bruins got some reinforcement with the return of Patrice Bergeron, and look to continue their strong play against the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres this week.
The Black and Gold have some time off after Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes to regroup and get ready for the week ahead.
Let’s take a look to the two games the B’s have on their plate for this week:
Thursday, Dec. 27 vs. New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET
The Bruins potentially could get some big bodies back into the lineup come Thursday, as head coach Bruce Cassidy noted defensemen Zdeno Chara (MCL) and Kevan Miller (throat) could make their return. Jake DeBrusk, who has been battling a concussion, also could return, providing an offensive boost.
The Devils will be looking to bounce back after a tough stretch where they lost four of their last five games. New Jersey has scored nine goals over that span. This is the first time the two clubs go head-to-head this season, but if history repeats itself, the Devils will have a difficult time against the B’s.
New Jersey will be tasked with the tough job of trying to stop Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Bergeron. Bergeron has four points since his return to the lineup, while Marchand and Pastrnak have eight points over their previous four contests.
The B’s, however, will have to find a way to contain 2010 No. 1 draft pick Taylor Hall, who’s been a bright spot for the Devils with six points in his last three games, including a four-point performance against the Ottawa Senators.
Saturday, Dec. 29 vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET
Boston will look to get revenge on the Sabres after Buffalo took the last contest between the two teams by a score of 4-2 on Dec. 16.
The Black and Gold will need to find an answer for Jack Eichel, who amassed four points for Buffalo in its latest tilt against Boston. The Sabres will face a tough task before welcoming the B’s to KeyBank Center when they take on the St. Louis Blues.
Buffalo also sits just three points ahead of the Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division and is 1-1 with Boston this season. The Sabres have lost two of their last three games but quietly have been a division pest this season, but will need to contain Marchand, who has eight points in his last four games.
David Krejci, who had his eight-game point streak snapped against Nashville, will be looking to start a new streak in the week ahead.
The B’s have a chance to close out 2018 on a high note before ringing in the new year against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1.
