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Meet your 2018-19 Boston Bruins |
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For the first time since the beginning of May, the Bruins will skate in a meaningful hockey game as they head to Washington to take on the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Capitals.
Before I get to projected lines, game notes and predictions, let’s meet your 2018-19 Boston Bruins.
Forwards (13):
Anders Bjork, Chris Wagner, Ryan Donato, Joakin Nordstrom, Patrice Bergeron, David Backes, Danton Heinen, David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, Noel Acciari, Brad Marchand, Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak.
Defensemen (8):
Brandon Carlo, John Moore, Zdeno Chara, Steven Kampfer, Matt Grzelcyk, Urho Vaakanainen, Charlie McAvoy and Kevan Miller.
Goalies (2):
Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak
Injured Reserve (2):
Torey Krug (ankle) and Martin Bakos (lower-body)
Bruins projected lines:
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-Danton Heinen
Ryan Donato-Sean Kuraly-David Backes
Joakim Nordstrom-Noel Acciari-Chris Wagner
Zdeno Chara-Charlie McAvoy
John Moore-Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk-Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Capitals projected lines:
Alexander Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsev-Brett Connolly
Jakub Vrana-Nicklas Backstrom-T.J. Oshie
Andre Burakovsky-Lars Eller-Chandler Stephenson
Nathan Walker-Nic Dowd-Devante Smith-Pelly
Dmitry Orlov-Matt Niskanen
Christian Djoos-John Carlson
Brooks Orpik_Madison Bowey
Braden Holtby
Game Notes
-The Bruins are winless in their last 12 games vs. the Capitals at 0-9-3 with their last win vs. Washington a 4-2 road victory on March 29, 2014.
-Capitals goalie Braden Holtby has a career record of 14-2 in 16 games against the Bruins. In those 16 games, he has three shutouts, a .940 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average.
-The Capitals will be without forward Tom Wilson for Wednesday’s contest. Wednesday morning, Tom Wilson had an in-person hearing with the NHL’s department of safety for a hit to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist. Because the hearing is in-person, Wilson faces the possibility of a six game or more suspension.
-John Moore is one-point shy of 100 career NHL points.
-Tuukka Rask has a record of 1-10-5 in 17 career games against the Capitals. In those contests, Rask has shut the Capitals out once, while recording a .902 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average.
What I’m watching for:
Last season the Bruins had the league’s fourth ranked power play. Much of their success came from the stick of Torey Krug. With Krug sidelined for at least three weeks, the Bruins will need someone to come in and fill the void left by Krug on the Bruins top power play unit.
No Bruin averaged more power play time on ice per game than Krug did a season ago, while 24 of Krug’s 59 points came on the power play last year.
Based off of head coach Bruce Cassidy’s comments from Monday, it sounds like Matt Grzelcyk will get the first shot at taking over Krug’s role.
Similar in style as Krug, Grezelcyk should be able to find some success on the power play, despite limited power play time in 2017-18.
Predictions:
I hate doing prediction blogs. They’re stupid, you’re never right, they make you look dumb and then people throw them back at your face all season long.
Those reasons are EXACTLY why I am doing some Bruins related predictions. Please call me dumb, laugh at me when these are not even close to being accurate, and please rub them in my face all season long.
I’ve been dumb and wrong my whole life, so why change now!
Jake DeBrusk scores 30 goals
DeBrusk was a massive surprise for the Bruins in 17-18. Scoring 16 times in 70 games, DeBrusk’s rookie campaign was a promising one. Once the playoffs rolled around, DeBrusk took his game to the next level. He finished with six goals and two assists in 12 games, but DeBrusk showed that the bright lights and added pressure that the Stanley Cup playoffs bring did not faze him.
As good as his rookie season was, DeBrusk left more to be desired and Bruins fans will get just that. DeBrusk will jump back into a familiar spot on the Bruins second line to start the season and will thrive in the role. The chemistry developed last season with center David Krejci should increase and help DeBrusk get to 30 goals. A 14 goal increase in a sophomore season is a lot to ask for, but DeBrusk will be up to the task.
Charlie McAvoy becomes the Bruins #1 defenseman
If the Bruins are to make a deeper run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, they’ll need McAvoy to overtake Chara as the Bruins number one defenseman. McAvoy trailed only Chara in minutes per game last season with 22:09.
Expectations are high for McAvoy as enters his second full season in the league. I expect McAvoy to exceed those expectations. There’s no denying that McAvoy will absolutely develop into a number one defenseman. But I say that the time for that is now.
Brad Marchand will not miss any games due to suspension
Last January Brad Marchand was suspended five games for a hit on Devils forward Marcus Johansson. The suspension was his sixth since March of 2011, a grand total 19 games lost.
Marchand loves to push the envelope, that’s part of what makes Brad Marchand, Brad Marchand. But after his licking incident(s) in the playoffs, Marchand has vowed to change.
Now changing the way you play a game is easier said than done, and we’ve heard Marchand preach change in the past. But I think this year is the beginning to the new Marchand who will not miss one game this season due to suspension.
Ryan Donato will be sent to Providence
I love his shoot-first mentality and love how quick and beautiful his shot is, but I don’t think Donato is quite ready for a full NHL season. Playing on a line with Sean Kuraly and David Backes won’t help him that much in that regards.
Donato is going to struggle out of the gate which will result in his demotion to the AHL. After some seasoning and brief development in Providence, Donato will be recalled later in the NHL season where he will remain with the big club and help the Bruins in their late-season playoff push.
Tuukka Rask finishes as a Vezina finalist
I don’t understand the hate some have towards Tuukka Rask here in Boston. Checkout Ty Anderson’s twitter mentions anytime Rask allows a goal and you’ll soon learn the world is on fire and Rask should be shipped out of town before the period ends.
After Anton Khudobin left Boston for Dallas, the Bruins brought in a more proven veteran in Halak, hoping that Halak can take some of the workload off of Rask, and more importantly push Rask competitively.
Rask won the Vezina in 2014 and I think this season he is heading back to Vegas in June as a Vezina finalist.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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