MATCH:Penguins vs. Bruins
TIME:7 p.m. EST
PLACE:TD Garden
TV:AT&T SportsNet
RADIO:105.9 FM, the X
5 THINGS
1.This is the third and final meeting of the year between the teams, with each club earning a win. In their most recent matchup, the Pens beat the Bruins in their final game before the bye week on Jan. 7 in an incredibly entertaining game. The Pens got out to a 3-1 lead before the Bruins stormed back to go up 5-3. The Pens were able to tie the score at 5-5 before eventually emerging victorious in overtime, 6-5.
2.Evgeni Malkin scored the winner in that game, which was his second goal of the night. He has points in 3 straight games against Boston (2G-4A-6PTS) while Sidney Crosby has points in 5 straight (2G-8A-10PTS).
3.Overall, the Pens have scored 5 or more goals 12 times in 24 games since the calendar flipped. The Pens have scored at least 3 times in 20 of those games.
4.This has been a tough building for the Pens the last few years, as the Bruins are 6-0-1 in their last 7 games against Pittsburgh at TD Garden. Their last regulation loss to the Pens on home ice came back on April 20, 2013. Overall, the Bruins are 9-1-3 in their last 13 games against the Pens.
5.The Bruins suffered a big loss when it was announced that Patrice Bergeron would be out with a fractured right foot. He had been centering Boston's first line between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, with all three players surpassing the 20-goal mark this season. Riley Nash has slotted into Bergeron's spot. However, they did make a big addition at the trade deadline, acquiring Rick Nash from the New York Rangers.
INJURIES
PIT - Zach Aston-Reese (upper body),
Matt Murray
(concussion)
BOS - Patrice Bergeron (fractured right foot), Anders Bjork (shoulder surgery)
MORNING SKATE
* Taking the option not to skate this morning were Justin Schultz, Brian Dumoulin, Riley Sheahan, Kris Letang, Carl Hagelin, Patric Hornqvist, Malkin and Crosby. Kessel was present after taking a maintenance day on Wednesday. Casey DeSmith was the first goalie off the ice, and head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed he will start in net against the Bruins.
