Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins: 9/25 preseason game preview

The Boston Bruins’ winning streak may be over, but the preseason continues on against a perennial Stanley Cup threat.

All good things must come to an end. After starting the preseason 3-0-0, the Boston Bruins were thoroughly defeated by the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.

Things looked good for the Black and Gold after a first period power play goal by Austin Czarnik gave the team a 1-0 lead. However, the wheels fell off in the second period. Detroit center Frans Nielson had his way with the Bruins defense, racking up two goals and an assist in the game that ended as a 5-1 drubbing.

For the first time all preseason, the Bruins didn’t look like the better team in the game. The last 40 minutes of the game, the Red Wings out-skated, out-hustled, and generally out-played the Bruins. That obviously led to the Wings out-scoring them as well.

However, with each passing day the team gets closer to the regular season and games that matter more. The Bruins have three more preseason games before the regular season starts, including a game tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the past decade, three things have become a certainty: death, taxes, and the Chicago Blackhawks making the playoffs and competing. The team in that time has won three Stanley Cups, including a victory in 2013 against the Bruins.

It is interesting that of the Bruins preseason games played, they have played Montreal, Detroit twice, and will be playing Chicago twice, all Original Six franchises. Seems like a good way to get some intense action in early on to stoke the flames for the regular season.

Schedule

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 17: The Jumbotron displays the matchup between the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators before the start of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

The Bruins game tonight will be taking place at the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Game time is 7:00 pm, and the game will be broadcast on NESN-Plus for those in the New England area.

Game Roster

The Bruins announced roster transactions on Sunday that involved several players being sent back down to Providence to participate in the Providence Bruins training camp. Those players included: Anton Blidh, Colbey Cave, Jesse Gabrielle, Justin Hickman, Zane McIntyre, Zack Senyshyn, and Jakub Zboril.

This morning, it was announced by GM Don Sweeney that additional moves had taken place. Defenseman Tommy Cross and forward Jordan Szwarz were placed on waivers with the intent they would be assigned to Providence for training camp.

For tonight’s game, of the players left remaining in Boston, this is who you’ll see on the ice:

Forwards: Noel Acciari, David Backes, Matt Beleskey, Patrice Bergeron, Anders Bjork, Ryan Fitzgerald, Sean Kuraly, Brad Marchand, Riley Nash, David Pastrnak, Tim Schaller, Ryan Spooner

Defensemen: Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Jeremy Lauzon, Charlie McAvoy, Rob O’Gara, Paul Postma.

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Goaltenders: Anton Khudobin, Malcolm Subban

What to watch for

As each set of roster cuts gets made, the team gets closer and closer to the opening day lineup. That means each preseason game will tend to feature more of the players that will be entrenched in their spots come October 5th.

Tonight is another night to see how the Marchand-Bergeron-Bjork line looks. And with Zboril being sent down to Providence, the 7th d-man position on the roster has likely come down to Matt Grzelcyk and Rob O’Gara in my opinion.

With David Krejci not in the lineup, it will be interesting to see who David Pastrnak plays with. Will a young guy like Ryan Fitzgerald who has done nothing but impress people at camp get a chance to skate first or second line minutes at center?

Next: Boston Bruins: The players who stuck out in preseason opener

Also, I have to throw this out there. I know he makes $3.8 million per year, but I really hope the Bruins coaching staff and brass has not locked Matt Beleskey into a roster spot yet. I’ve seen quite a few rookies bringing more to the table than he has recently. If he doesn’t get his game back and soon, his 5 year deal with a no-trade clause could be brutal for an organization looking to compete.

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