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Game Knight Preview: Bruins vs Golden Knights

October 8, 2019, 3:18 PM ET [2 Comments]
Jeff Paul
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Tonight's matchup pits two undefeated teams, with much different stories to start the season, against one another. The Vegas Golden Knights host the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins in a game that could be used as a benchmark for both clubs.

Two high-energy, high-scoring games against the San Jose Sharks have the Golden Knights operating at a playoff pace early on this season. The Golden Knights scored 9 goals en route to their first two wins of the season. Marc-Andre Fleury backstopped both wins and will almost certainly be in net this evening.

Scoring has been spread pretty evenly for the Golden Knights to start the 2019-20 campaign, as seven different players have combined for their nine goals. Vegas has gotten scoring from all sources, including their fourth line and their most defensively sound defenseman, Brayden McNabb.

"I just had to settle the puck down first, I glanced, and saw a little hole. I blacked out and it went in."

-Brayden McNabb on his SHG


Boston racked up their wins in typical Bruin fashion, utilizing sound defense and great goaltending. Tukka Rask (10/3) and Jaroslav Halak (10/5) picked up a win each to open the season for the boys from Beantown. A 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars and a 1-0 shutout of the Arizona Coyotes aren't pushover victories. This stop in Vegas is the third game of their season-opening four-game road trip.

Despite the road trip, the Bruins will be well-rested with two full days off between games. In both of their wins, all of the Bruins' scoring took place in the first period. The Golden Knights will need to weather their early storm and try to get as many pucks as possible on Rask, who's been confirmed as tonight's starter.


Tukka Rask is truly elite (USA Today Sports)


In their previous game, the Bruins were bailed out by Halak, against a Coyote team that got to the high danger areas early and often. The Yotes lost despite a 12-8 edge in high danger chances at 5-on-5. Overall, the Bruins sit at minus-five in the category though two games.

Shockingly, defensemen Zdeno Chara (1.16) and Charlie McAvoy (1.14) have the worst Expected Goals Against rates on the team through two games. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak continue to pace the Bruins up front, with their elite play. Those three men boast the following stats:

Corsi For %:


Bergeron: 60.00%
Marchand: 58.00%
Pastrnak: 56.6%

Scoring Chances Differential:


Bergeron: +9
Marchand: +12
Pastrnak: +10

High Danger Chances Differential:


Bergeron: +2
Marchand: +3
Pastrnak: -1

Continued contribution from the forward depth and adept defense will be the major keys to victory for the Golden Knights. Fleury is as solid as it gets, but the defense needs to hold up. The biggest question mark is the defense, with Nate Schmidt out of the lineup. Rookie Nicolas Hague played well in his absence and should get another look this evening.

"That's definitely a night I'll never forget. I don't know if it was nerves or the pace of play, but it was a little bit shaky at first, then I settled in."

-Nic Hague on his NHL debut Friday


Rask and Fleury are two of the best netmiders in the NHL and this game could be a low-scoring affair. If you'd like to follow along with my predictions, be sure to head to Twitter and use the hashtag #VGKPredictions.

Following the game, I will be on Facebook live, for a post-game discussion. Post-game will be approximately one hour after the game ends. Click the Facebook link below and give me your thoughts on the game! The video (Youtube) and audio (Podcast feed) will be available tomorrow morning. Check your favorite Podcast Apps for The Vegas Hockey Buzz: A Golden Knights Pod or follow the Pod link below!

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