Event: Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers
Date/Time: Saturday, January 21, 2012 - 1 p.m. EDT.
Location: TD Garden (Capacity: 17,565), Boston, MA.
Broadcast Info: Saturday's game between the Bruins and the Rangers will be broadcast live on NESN and NHL Network. The game can also be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with Dave Goucher providing play-by-play, and Bob Beers providing analysis.
Last Time Out: The Bruins had a rough road trip (well, compared to the rest of their season), after losing two of their last three before heading into New Jersey on Thursday. It looked like their lack of success carried into the first two periods of that game, after falling behind 1-0 in the first and finding no comfort in the second.
But the third period, they scored four unanswered goals including two goals in 35 seconds. Andrew Ference, Nathan Horton, Gregory Campbell and Chris Kelly scored those goals while Petr Sykora scored the only Devils goal.
The Rangers have also had quite a bit of success, but not in their last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. On Thursday, they came back from a 1-0 deficit in the first period to tie the game in the second. However, they were unable to capitalize after that goal, and in the third period, Evgeni Malkin put in two goals to give the Penguins an eventual 4-1 win.
Carl Hagelin scored for the Rangers and has eight goals on the season.
Storyline: Today is probably one of the most highly anticipated games of the year so far. The Bruins sit in second place, just behind the first place Rangers. Both are separated by just one point.
New York is 6-3-0 in the month of January, including four straight wins at the beginning of the year. Boston also has six wins and three losses since January, and still has not lost back-to-back away games ever this season.
Both coaches--Claude Julien and John Tortorella both are coaches in this year’s All-Star Game and it should come as no surprise considering the success both have had. Julien will coach captain Zdeno Chara’s team while Tortorella will coach with Team Alfredsson.
While these two teams have many similarities this season, today will determine who has the advantage over the other. With one point separating the two teams, whoever wins this game will claim dominance as the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Players To Watch:
Dennis Seidenberg will be playing in his 500th career game tonight and has two goals and thirteen assists so far this season.
Patrice Bergeron has 7-4=11 points in his last nine games while Nathan Horton has eight goals in his last nine games. He has been stepping it up the second part of the season, especially with Brad Marchand out. Expect him, at home, to bring even more intensity and points.
Prediction: I think coming back home is going to do the Bruins some good today. Before heading to Philadelphia tonight and Washington on Tuesday, they should be able to put a show on in Boston. Final Score: Rangers 3, Bruins 2 (OT).
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