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  • Game Day Preview: Bruins at Blue Jackets

    Game Day Previews

    Game Day Preview: Bruins at Blue Jackets

    Tim Rosenthal February 16, 2016
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    In the fourth game of their season long six-game road trip, the Bruins look to get back on track and take care of the lowly Blue Jackets tonight in Columbus. They also could get a couple of healthy bodies back in the lineup.

    Patrice Bergeron (undisclosed) and Adam McQuaid (concussion) both took part in the morning skate. Head coach Claude Julien told reporters that both players are game-time decisions. Bergeron missed the last two games while McQuaid has been out since sustaining his head injury on January 5th against the Capitals.

    With 13 days until the trade deadline, the Bruins look to string together a few more wins before the final two months of the season. It won’t be easy, however, especially during the last three games of the road trip against a Blue Jackets squad that is 6-2-2 in their last 10, a Predators team looking to hold on to their spot in the Western Conference wild card race and a Stars team that is battling for first place in the Central Division.

    Gametime: 7:00 p.m.
    TV/Radio: NESN/98.5 The Sports Hub
    Records: Bruins 30-20-6 (66 points), Blue Jackets 23-28-6 (52 points)
    Location: Nationwide Arena

    Bruins projected lines

    Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron/Ryan Spooner-Brett Connolly
    Loui Eriksson-David Krejci-Jimmy Hayes
    Matt Beleskey-Joonas Kemppainen/Ryan Spooner-David Pastrnak
    Landon Ferraro-Max Talbot-Tyler Randell

    Zdeno Chara-Zach Trotman
    Dennis Seidenberg-Colin Miller
    Torey Krug-Kevan Miller/Adam McQuaid

    Tuukka Rask
    Jonas Gustavsson

    Blue Jackets projected lines

    Scott Hartnell-Alexander Wennberg-Brandon Saad
    Boone Jenner-Brandon Dubinsky-Cam Atkinson
    Matt Calvert-William Karlsson-Nick Foligno
    Kerby Rychel-Gregory Campbell-Rene Bourque

    Ryan Murray-Seth Jones
    Jack Johnson-Denis Savard
    Fedor Tyutin-Dalton Prout

    Joonas Korpisalo
    Curtis McElhinney

    Matchup to watch: Bruins power play vs. Blue Jackets penalty kill

    Bruins at Blue Jackets

    David Krejci and the Bruins power play have only scored once in their last 24 attempts. (Photo by Joe Makarksi, Bruins Daily)

    The once lethal Bruins power play has turned a little powerless over the last few weeks. Since returning from the All-Star break, the Black and Gold have only scored once in their last 24 attempts. While the chances and production haven’t been all that terrible, the cold streak is coming at an inopportune time. Against a Blue Jackets squad whose penalty kill success rate is under 80 percent (79.8, 11th worst in the league), the opportunity is there for the Bruins’ PP to get back on track tonight at Ohio’s capital.

    Storyline to watch: Will Bergeron and/or McQuaid play?

    Bruins at Blue Jackets

    Patrice Bergeron and Adam McQuaid are both game-time decisions. (Photos by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

    Adam McQuaid 12-16-15

    While not the biggest asset on the blue-line, having McQuaid back in the lineup can help stabilize the B’s defense that continues to have a difficult time progressing. Whether it’s Kevan Miller’s turnovers, the inexperience from Zach Trotman, Colin Miller and Joe Morrow and the aging Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg, the Bruins struggles on the back end continue to be a sore spot.

    Of course, McQuaid can’t cure everything and Don Sweeney still needs to upgrade the blue-line at some point if the B’s have any shot at a playoff run, but having another veteran presence who knows the system can help even a little bit.

    As for Bergeron, well, it was pretty evident that they missed him against the Red Wings on Sunday. We’ll see if the three-time Selke winner — and McQuaid — join their teammates come puck drop.

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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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