By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
The Boston Bruins begin a three-game road trip tonight in Denver, Colorado, where they will play the Colorado Avalanche. The Bruins have a 2-2-0 record and are sixth in the National Hockey League’s Atlantic Division, while the Avalanche are 0-3-0 and eighth in the Central Division.
Goaltending Struggles
Both teams come into tonight’s contest with questions about their Goaltenders. Jeremy Swayman has made three straight starts after missing all of training camp, with a .893% save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average. Joonas Korpisalo started on opening night in Florida, where he struggled, allowing six goals on thirty-five shots. Will Head Coach Jim Montgomery stick with Swayman for a fourth straight game, or give Korpisalo a shot?
Colorado also has concerns about their Netminders. Expected starter Alexandar Georgiev has struggled in the early going, with a .787% save percentage and a 6.58 goals-against average in three appearances. Twenty-four-year-old Justus Annunen has also struggled in two relief appearances, with a .765% save percentage and a 4.69 goals-against average. The Avalanche recently claimed veteran goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets, but he has yet to make an appearance for Colorado.
Special Teams
The Bruins must play a disciplined game tonight as they face a lethal Avalanche power play. Colorado’s power play is clicking along at a rate of 33.3%, tied for third league-wide. The Bruins penalty kill has also been among the league’s best, with a 90.9% success rate, tied with the New York Rangers for sixth in the NHL.
On the other hand, Boston’s power play has been ice-cold to start the season, scoring only 11.1% of the time, as has Colorado’s penalty kill, which has a success rate of 57.1%, the second-worst in the league. Which team can get the upper hand?
How Will The Top-Six Respond?
After Monday’s loss to the Florida Panthers, Jim Montgomery criticized the Bruins’ top-six, simply saying, “They aren’t doing their job.” And for good reason. Boston’s second line of Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Morgan Geekie has struggled so far this season.
Geekie and Coyle are pointless through four games this season and have a combined -9 rating. Both players hit career-high point totals last season, and the Bruins need them to produce at a higher level, given their position in the lineup. The Avalanche have allowed 20 goals against this season, the most in the NHL, presenting a golden opportunity for the B’s top-six to get going.
Line Rushes
Brad Marchand missed practice yesterday, taking a maintenance day with Max Jones skating in his place. Meanwhile, Justin Brazeau and Riley Tufte shared practice reps on the third line, hinting at a possible change to the top-nine. The defensive pairs were also shuffled, with Mason Lohrei moving up to the first pair with Charlie McAvoy, while Nikita Zadorov slid down to the third pairing with Andrew Peeke. Puck drop for tonight’s game is scheduled for 9:52 p.m. Eastern, and will be broadcast on TNT.
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