Boston The Bruins have made it one in all their missions this season to keep away from consecutive losses. Thus far, Boston has rebounded effectively after every of their eight losses over 41 video games.
However on Saturday evening, the Black & Gold – who suffered their first regulation house lack of the season Thursday in opposition to Seattle – can have, maybe, their hardest check but on this regard, because the Toronto Maple Leafs go to league rivals TD Backyard from For the primary time this season.
“I feel we had been all upset by that [Thursday] At evening, however on the identical time you notice that losses occur, and we do not need to be a group that loses two groups in a row.” Taylor Corridor. “We additionally know who’s coming [Saturday] Evening and down the highway what is perhaps the which means of the sport. It is at all times thrilling to play Toronto and it is totally different when it is on a Saturday evening. We’re enthusiastic about that.”
Coach Jim Montgomery admitted that with the 2 finest groups within the Jap Convention squared off—Boston leads the East with 68 factors, whereas Toronto is tied with Carolina for second with 59—it is going to be “a much bigger sport than the common common season,” particularly with each golf equipment wanting a comeback. to the proper monitor.
“I do not know if it is at this level the place … how a lot that dictates something,” Montgomery mused. “I do not suppose it is as a result of he wasn’t even within the All-Star break, however it’s an necessary sport for each groups. They’ve misplaced two out of three and we have misplaced one and at house [outside of the Winter Classic] We have gone to time beyond regulation within the earlier two video games earlier than profitable.
“We have to set up our sport and [Saturday] Is an effective alternative in opposition to one of many groups that… Toronto, Carolina and ourselves are most likely the three groups which have been one of the best constantly to this point this 12 months, so it is a good check for us.”
Video: Corridor speaks with media from WIA
The Bruins may also be in search of slightly revenge with the Maple Leafs being one in all 5 groups handy them a regulation loss this season. Again on November 5, Auston Matthews – who might return to the Toronto squad on Saturday after lacking the final two video games – scored each objectives in a 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Enviornment.
“Similar to what Seattle did,” Montgomery mentioned when requested what Toronto did in that sport to get the Bruins into hassle. “They had been 5 [skaters] Collectively, they had been over us, and guarded the center of the ice effectively at their finish.
“That sport is linked to the sport [Thursday] Nightly, studying alternatives for the best way to create extra offense after we play with groups that do shut checks. I feel what Seattle did to us [Thursday] It was lots of what we did all year long for the opponents.”
Appointment Kubanin
After making his NHL debut in opposition to Seattle, middle Joona Koppanen was assigned to Windfall on Friday afternoon. The 24-year-old has gained 71 p.c of his tackles and has a shot on purpose in 8:50 of ice time — 1:14 of which got here with a brief putt.
“I cherished it,” mentioned Montgomery. “I assumed he was good at penalties, I feel he was a great help participant. So far as we had been speaking about him [Tomas] Nosek, I assumed he had lots of those self same qualities, so I assumed in his first sport within the NHL the place we weren’t on the high of our sport, I assumed he was notable insofar as he pushed the needle ahead for us. “
When Montgomery spoke after Friday’s observe at Warrior Ice Enviornment, the deal had but to be introduced, although the Boston bench chief seemed like he would possibly return. Ag Jarir – who missed the final three matches as a result of sickness – was added to the squad on Saturday evening.
“We’ve not made that call but, simply because it is Toronto and never as a result of it does not deserve it, however typically at the back of my head it is just like the gamers who introduced you right here needs to be rewarded by enjoying Toronto, in order that’s what is going on on in my head proper now,” Montgomery mentioned.
VIDEO: Montgomery speaks after coaching on Friday at WIA
empty feeling
When the Bruins arrived at Warrior Ice Enviornment on Friday morning, Montgomery mentioned, there was a noticeable sense of disappointment after shedding to Seattle, a sentiment that hasn’t been simple to search out across the rink this season.
“We did not used to return right here and lose at house,” Montgomery mentioned. I used to be speaking with Brad Marchand On the topic, we had been having breakfast collectively, and we had been simply speaking about how empty your abdomen felt immediately and we did not really feel it.
“It is form of resentful of you—forgive my language however I haven’t got a greater phrase for it—for what we’re used to and it’s kind of stinging and also you need to get that feeling again not simply internally, however you could possibly inform the entire city was rallying behind what we had been doing…we wish it again.” “.
Friday coaching lineup
attackers
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pasternak
Taylor Corridor – David Krejci – Craig Smith
Pavel Zacha – Charlie Coyle – Trent Frederick
Nick Foligno – Thomas Nosek / Jonah Kopanen – AG Greer
Protection
Matt Grzelecik – Charlie McAvoy
Hambus Lindholm – Brandon Carlow
Derek Forport – Connor Clifton
Jacob Zaborel
Aims
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swaiman