Event: Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Date/Time: Saturday, October 15, 2011 - 8:30 p.m. EDT.
Location: United Center (Capacity: 19,717), Chicago, Illinois.
Broadcast Info: Saturday's game between the Bruins and Blackhawks will be broadcast live on NHL Network and NESN. The game can also be heard on the 98.5 the Sports Hub Radio Network, with Dave Goucher providing play-by-play, and Bob Beers providing analysis.
Last Time Out: The Bruins have struggled out of the gate and have dropped three of their first four games of the season. The most recent loss was to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, though Boston forwards Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand both netted goals. The season record for the Bruins dropped to 1-3-0 and they will play the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks tonight.
Storyline: Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton have been on the bad end of the spotlight as of late, as neither of them have scored a goal this season. Entering into the fifth game of the season, head coach Claude Julien has made it clear that the best players have to start playing like the best players--and tonight's matchup would be the perfect time to start. The Bruins will faceoff against the Blackhawks in a clash of the previous two Stanley Cup Champions. The Blackhawks are coming off two straight wins, with the most recent being against the Winnipeg Jets. That being said, the Bruins are searching for their first win in over a week, and more importantly searching for the hunger and intensity that has been missing from their game all year. According to captain Zdeno Chara, the Bruins have to work at keeping things simple and "outworking" the other team. Things like the forecheck or the transition game have to improve and it's going to have to come the hard work that was so evident during the post season. Players To Watch: Bruins forward David Krejci will not play in tonight's game, so the Bruins will have to rely on Tyler Seguin to center the first line again. Last game the youngster helped kick start the lifeless line and scored one of two goals for the B's. Expect him to keep up his contributions and potentially influence his linemates. Brad Marchand is continuing his identity as the go-to guy and his line will be entertaining to watch and follow. For the Blackhawks, obviously Patrick Kane and David Bolland are going to bombard the Bruins defense. Bolland leads the team with three goals, and Kane remains a huge offensive power for Chicago. Forward Marian Hossa is deemed a game-time decision, but adding him to the mix can only increase the problems for Boston. Prediction: The Bruins haven't proven that they can score consistently yet, and with the Blackhawks fire power, it only takes one goal to determine a game. Final Score: Blackhawks 4, Bruins 2. For more Boston Bruins coverage, visit our team page and blog, Stanley Cup Of Chowder