The Boston Bruins are coming off a frustrating loss against the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night as two goals were taken back from Boston, which resulted in the Avs winning 4-2.
The Bruins did not land back in Boston until 7 a.m. this morning, and Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy expressed his concern about the weariness of the team going into tonight’s home opener against New Jersey.
“It will be a challenge for us to get an on-time start,” Cassidy said. “That will be the biggest challenge for us to make sure myself, the coaching staff, [and the] leadership group to get these guys ready to play. They [New Jersey] are a fast team, and we got to make sure we are ready to match their intensity early.”
Judging by the line rushes at this morning’s practice, it looks as if Brett Ritchie will be inserted into the lineup for David Backes for tonight’s home opener against the New Jersey Devils.
“We have good depth – Ritchie, Backes, Wagner bring some of the same characteristics. If other guys aren’t going, you just fit them in,” Cassidy said.
TD Garden has also gone under some renovations since the last time the Bruins hit the ice. The spoked-B has a new home on the ceiling of the locker room rather than typically being on the floor.
The Spoked-B has a new home.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/nEFpXJ35wF
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 12, 2019
“It feels like a new rink,” said Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. “I’ve been around the old one for quite some time, so [I’m] just trying to get used to the new surroundings and what it has to offer. I think they did a great job so far.”
Tonight’s game is Bruins forward Charlie Coyle’s first home opener since joining the organization back in February.
“Really looking forward to it,” Coyle said. “Coming in here last year late, you really miss a lot. You look forward to doing this, and getting hockey back here at the Garden, seeing the fans again, and to play in this building—we love that. We’re all excited to get going here.”
Here is what the lineup could look tonight based off the line combinations from this morning:
Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Krejci – Kuhlman
Heinen – Coyle – Ritchie
Nordstrom – Kuraly – Wagner
Chara – McAvoy
Krug – Carlo
Grzelcyk – Clifton
Rask, Halak
