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  • Game Day Preview: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs

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    Game Day Preview: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs

    Tim Rosenthal February 4, 2017
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    As each game becomes more important for the Boston Bruins, the stakes in Saturday’s game against the Maple Leafs are pretty high.

    Although they come in losers of three straight, the Leafs, who have five games in hand on the B’s, should feel pretty good about themselves having beaten the Black and Gold in both meetings this season. That makes tonight’s contest even more vital for Tuukka Rask and company – fresh off Wednesday’s 5-3 loss against the Capitals that snapped their season-long three-game win streak – as they currently hold a three-point edge over the Leafs for third place in the Atlantic Division.

    “It’s big, it’s very big,” said Rask, who rejoined the team at Saturday’s morning skate after taking a much-needed maintenance day on Friday. “Obviously, you realize the standings where they are and where we are. Obviously, you know, like a lot of other teams they have games in hand on us so we need to gain some ground, and for our own sake get us on a roll and get us on a point streak after a loss.”

    Rask, along with Patrice Bergeron (lower body) are likely to play against the Leafs. Bergeron left Wednesday’s game against the Caps after taking a Matt Niskanen one-timer to the knee but was on the ice this morning after taking Friday off. Austin Czarnik, who centered the third line during line rushes, could replace Ryan Spooner assuming Bergeron is ready to go.

    Against a young and speedy team that features the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, the Bruins are going to need an effort from all 20 men if they want to come away with their first win of the season against their Atlantic rivals on Hockey Night in Canada.

    Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
    TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
    Records: Bruins 26-22-6 (58 points), Maple Leafs 23-17-9 (55 points)
    Location: TD Garden

    Bruins projected lines

    Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
    Frank Vatrano-David Krejci-David Backes
    Matt Beleskey-Austin Czarnik-Riley Nash
    Tim Schaller-Dominic Moore-Jimmy Hayes

    Zdeno Chara-Brandon Carlo
    Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
    Colin Miller-Kevan Miller

    Tuukka Rask
    Zane McIntyre

    Maple Leafs projected lines

    Zach Hyman-Auston Matthews-William Nylander
    James van Riemsdyk-Nazem Kadri-Mitch Marner
    Leo Komarov-Tyler Bozak-Connor Brown
    Matt Martin-Ben Smith-Nikita Soshnikov

    Morgan Reilly-Nikita Zaitsev
    Jake Gardiner-Connor Carrick
    Martin Marincin-Roman Polak

    Frederik Andersen
    Curtis McElhinney

    Tonight’s storylines

    Bruins vs. Maple Leafs, Calder Trophy, NHL Rookies

    Last year’s first overall pick Auston Matthews sits tied with Patrik Laine (second overall pick) for first in goals among NHL rookies with 23. (Photo by Joe Makarksi, Bruins Daily)

    – The Bruins have had a difficult time defending against speedier teams like the Canadiens and Penguins to name a couple. The team that’s given them the most trouble are the Leafs as they’ve outscored the Black and Gold 8-2 in their two wins – both 4-1 outcomes. Countering that speed with a stout defense and a fluid transition game will be a key for the Black and Gold this evening.

    “They’re a fast team. They’re on you quick and there’s not much time and space out there,” Torey Krug said about the Leafs. “Obviously they have a lot of young skill and talent in their lineup and they’re pretty deep as well. It’s definitely a good test for us tonight, and it’s an important game.”

    – Scoring first is something that every team preaches. That philosophy should be a priority for the Black and Gold. Not only have they allowed the opening goal in the first two games against the Leafs, but they have also given up the first tally in each of their last three games. The B’s are 19-5-5 and the Leafs are 17-5-4 when scoring first.

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    Tim Rosenthal

    Tim Rosenthal serves as the Managing Editor of Bruins Daily. He started contributing videos to the site in 2010 before fully coming on board during the Bruins' Stanley Cup run in 2011. His bylines over the last decade have been featured on Boston.com, FoxSports.com, College Hockey News, Patch and Inside Hockey. You can follow Tim on Twitter @_TimRosenthal.

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