Event: Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers
Date/Time: Thursday, November 10, 2011 - 7 p.m. EDT.
Location: TD Garden (Capacity: 17,565), Boston, MA.
Broadcast Info: Thursday's game between the Bruins and Oilers will be broadcast live on 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 outscored their opponents in the last three games by an 18-5 margin including last outing against the Islanders, 6-2.
The Black and Gold have been making a mark since their dismal start to the season and are finally settling into what seems like an extended stretch of success. Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin are all nursing point streaks and other players like David Krejci and Nathan Horton are starting to produce as they are expected to.
Lucic had two goals and an assist on Monday, whereas Seguin had a goal and an assist.
Last game, the Bruins were able to get goaltender Tuukka Rask his first win of the season, putting up two more goals in that game alone, than they had given him the entire rest of the season combined.
Storyline: The obvious story lies within the two young guns of each team, and the two overall draft picks of last year’s draft: Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. Hall was drafted first overall to the Oilers, and, as many Bruins fans won’t let Toronto’s fans forget, Seguin was picked second by Boston. Both made a sizable impact on their teams last year, but only one came out of it a champion.
Continuing this season, Hall has three goals and six assists, trailing Seguin who has tallied eight goals and seven assists in thirteen games.
Edmonton comes into Boston second in the Western Conference, sitting just behind Dallas. The Oilers have won seven of their last eight games, with the only loss coming from the hands of Pheonix, 4-2.
Daniel Paille underwent surgery all will not be back to play tonight. Bruins called up Zach Hamill on an emergency basis, in case Rich Peverley would not be available. Hamill has put up five goals and five assists with the Providence Bruins and has played in four NHL games in his career.
Players To Watch: While Tyler and Taylor will take the spot light for sure, another 18-year-old rookie has also managed to turn some heads. In 14 games, Edmonton forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has scored six goals and 12 points--a point total more than Hall, and second on the team behind Ryan Smyth.
Prediction: Looking at the numbers, Edmonton would be the favorite going into the game. However, I think the Bruins are on a roll, and Seguin will show Hall that sometimes it’s okay to be picked second. Final Score: Bruins 3, Islanders 2.
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