Event: Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets
Date/Time: Saturday, December 10, 2011 - 7 p.m. EDT.
Location: Nationwide Arena (Capacity: 18,144), Columbus, OH.
Broadcast Info: Saturday's game between the Bruins and the Blue Jackets 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 faced their first back-to-back losses for the first time in over a month on Thursday after losing to the Florida Panthers, 2-0. It was only the second time this season the Bruins have been shutout. The other one was against the Colorado Avalanche who won 1-0 on October 10.
Shawn Thornton and Johnny Boychuk each dropped the gloves in the game, and Thornton’s was to stand up for linemate Danny Paille who was slammed into the boards just over two minutes into the game.
Paille did not skate with the Bruins yesterday during practice, and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. This is just a couple weeks after Paille was sidelined with a facial fracture after a slap shot hit him in the face.
Columbus also played on Thursday and lost a 4-3 decision in overtime to Nashville. The Predators came back in the third period with two goals in the last two minutes to tie the game. It only took 1:45 into overtime for them to clinch the game winning goal.
Storyline: The last time these two teams met, Columbus goaltender Curtis Sanford took the 2-1 loss in a shootout. He should be starting in net again tonight against Tim Thomas who went 10-0-0 before Thursday night’s loss to the Panthers.
The Blue Jackets will have to look to strike first, because the Bruins have quite an impressive record when they net the first goal. The B’s are 8-2-0 when they draw first blood whereas Columbus has a dismal 1-12-2 record when they are scored on first.
As mentioned before, Daniel Paille will not be playing in tonight’s game and didn’t even travel with the Bruins under his condition.
Players To Watch: Boston is going to have to step up if they want to avoid another loss. The first line is the obvious choice, but right now they will take whomever they can get.
Tyler Segiun came back last game after being scratched the game before, but failed to produce anything for the team. The Bruins hit five posts last game, and they came from all different lines, yet no one was able to put numbers on the board.
Prediction: At this point the Bruins have to score first in order to come out on top of this one. I think their confidence in scoring has waned a little bit, and that first goal will definitely boost the spirits and get them in the frame of mind they need to put a team away. If Columbus comes out early and keeps the Bruins from scoring too soon after that, I think they will find a way to beat them this time around. Final Score: Bruins 3, Panthers 2.
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