The Boston Bruins will open their seven-game homestead when they host the Calgary Flames at TD Garden Tuesday night.
The Boston Bruins return to game action Tuesday at TD Garden as they host the Calgary Flames for a 7 p.m. puck drop. The matchup marks the first time the teams have met this season, and opens a seven-game homestand for the B’s.
The Bruins last played Jan. 27 when they routed the Philadelphia Flyers 6-2 on the road, and have had two practices since returning from All-Star break.
“It was nice that we got an extra practice in, we had two as a group, so hopefully that helps. But I’m sure it will be maybe not the prettiest hockey, but hopefully after the first period or so we’ll settle in,” Trent Frederic said Tuesday following morning skate.
Matt Poitras, Jake DeBrusk and Derek Forbort all sat out of the Jan. 27 game due to undisclosed injuries. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said that Poitras remains unavailable against the Flames – he missed Tuesday practice for a “follow-up doctor’s appointment” – but DeBrusk and Forbort are good to go.
Boston had won six of its last seven games ahead of All-Star break, and will look to maintain that same energy and momentum in the last 33 games of the regular season.
“You want to bring that every night, that’s what we always talk about, but especially when you’ve been away,” Charlie Coyle said Tuesday. “That’s why it’s been nice to have these couple practices to try to get the kinks out and focus in on what we need to do – playing the right way and having good habits.”
Jeremy Swayman is set to start in net against Calgary. The 25-year-old netminder has posted a 2.30 goals against average and .924 save percentage in 27 games. Swayman last played Jan. 25 in the Bruins’ 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators and made 37 saves.
A point of emphasis for Boston will be staying out of the penalty box. The Bruins’ once first-place penalty kill percentage now ranks eighth in the league at 82.8 – partially because it’s gotten tested more than it needs to.
“I think it’s been a little bit of execution, but more it’s been just the number of penalties we take. We need to cut down on our penalties,” Montgomery said.
Jan 25, 2024; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) warms up prior to the start of the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY SportsThere were no line rushes at Tuesday’s practice, but based on Monday, the Bruins could look like this:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
James van Riemsdyk-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Jakub Lauko-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Danton Heinen-Jesper Boqvist-Oskar Steen
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort-Kevin Shattenkirk
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark
Five things to know about the Flames:
- Calgary last played on Jan. 27 in a 1-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, improving its record to 22-22-5 which is good for sixth place in the Pacific Division with 49 points.
- Forward Andrei Kuzmenko is the newest member of the Flames, and was acquired Jan. 31 in exchange for Elias Lindholm, two prospect defensemen, a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick. Kuzmenko is skating on the first line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Yegor Sharangovich.
- Black Coleman leads the Flames in points with 40 (20 goals, 20 assists). The forward is skating on the third line with Andrew Mangiapane and Mikael Backlund. Coleman has two points in his last five games.
- Calgary’s power play has struggled this season and is ranked 29th in the NHL at 13.8 percent. Its penalty kill, on the other hand, is third in the league at 84.4 percent.
- Jacob Markstrom is expected to get the start against Boston. The goaltender has a 2.60 GAA and .912 SV% through 29 games. Markstrom last played Jan. 27 against Chicago and made 32 saves.