Game Day Preview: Boston Bruins Face New York Islanders

Belle Fraser

Mar 2, 2024, 20:28

Belle Fraser

Mar 2, 2024, 20:28

Marc McLaughlin will make his season debut for the Boston Bruins Saturday night after getting called up from AHL Providence on emergency basis.

The Boston Bruins open their two-game road trip Saturday at UBS Arena with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop against the New York Islanders. The matchup marks the third and final time the teams will meet this regular season.

The Bruins have won the previous two games against the Islanders – 5-2 on Nov. 9 and 5-4 in a shootout on Dec. 15.

“They’re a good team and this time of year points are valuable so you are never going to get an easy game in this league – especially not tonight,” Charlie McAvoy said of the Islanders Saturday to the media.

Boston is coming off a 5-4 regulation win over the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday at TD Garden. While a 3-0 lead was given up, the B’s ultimately closed it out thanks to the power-play, game-winning goal from Mason Lohrei at the end of the third period.

Per Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, both Matt Grzelcyk and Justin Brazeau will draw out of the lineup due to “minor injuries.” Derek Forbort will fill in on the backend, and Marc McLaughlin will slot in on the fourth line.

McLaughlin was called up from AHL Providence Friday on an emergency basis. The 24-year-old has 11 points (six goals, five assists) through 53 games, and last played in the NHL Jan. 29, 2023.

“Really excited. I’m jacked up to be here. I’ve been putting in a lot of work in Providence and it’s good to see that paying off and being up here and hopefully help this team win,” McLaughlin said to the media Saturday.

McLaughlin has played 13 total games with the Bruins, but Saturday will be his first try at the pros in the 2023-24 season. Montgomery said Forbort and Brazeau should be back for Monday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Just playing a solid two-way game, 200-foot game, playing hard, taking care of the details,” McLaughlin said of his focus. “Every time you come here, you’re a little bit more comfortable than last time. Just take those games that you’ve played already and go from there.”

Linus Ullmark will get the start against the Islanders. The goaltender has a 2.72 goals against average and .913 save percentage through 29 games. Ullmark last played Monday against the Seattle Kraken and made 27 saves in the 4-3 shootout loss.