BOSTON –– The wait is finally over.
The Boston Bruins return to action Tuesday, hosting the New York Rangers at 8 p.m. for opening night at TD Garden.
“I feel like it’s always more about us than the opponent. The Rangers, we know, they had some changes, too. They added some good forwards there in their lineup and made some changes on their team like everyone else,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “It’s going to be tough like anyone else. But my focus today is really on our team that, after this short camp, we get back on track here and get to our identity as fast as possible.”
Will Borgen will make his Bruins debut against his former team. Boston acquired Borgen from the Rangers in July to add depth and stability to the right side of the backend.
“Excitement. Nerves. Little nervous the first game of the year, always,” Borgen said. “You settle in after the first shift. It’s fun. It will be a good time. It’s always weird playing your old team, too. I know all the guys on the other side, so it’s always different.”
The 29-year-old defenseman is expected to be on the first pair with Hampus Lindholm; the duo skated together for all of training camp.
“He’s a really good player, so it makes it easy on me. I have questions, and he answers all of them for me. He’s talking to me constantly about what we need to do off faceoffs and just in general on the bench after a shift. It’s been good so far,” Borgen said of Lindholm. “Still a learning process, but we’re going over the systems and watching video every day.”
David Pastrnak will take the ice wearing the ‘C’ for the first time. The 30-year-old forward was named the 28th captain in franchise history on Sunday. Pastrnak will be on the top line with Elias Lindholm and JJ Peterka.
“I think it’s well-earned. He’s been helping this team win hockey games since I came here and even before that. He’s a leader within the locker room, too,” H. Lindholm said. “He’s a really fun guy to be around. We are excited about him having the ‘C.’”
