PREMIUM
Rogers' Thursday THROWDOWN >> 2-0 Sweep Tuesday (Both Dogs!)
(NHL) New Jersey vs. Boston,
Money Line: -148.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -148.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: Boston completed its season-opening three-game road trip with a 4-1 Monday win at Winnipeg and plays at home for the first time this season tonight against the Devils. New Jersey opened the season on the road by losing two low-scoring games to Florida (2-1 in OT) and Tampa Bay (3-2). The Devils then returned home to New Jersey and rode new acquisition Taylor Hall's two goals to a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks this past Tuesday.
New Jersey: Taylor Hall, the top overall pick of the 2010 draft, scored two power-play goals on Tuesday for his first two points since being acquired from Edmonton for Adam Larsson on June 29. New Jersey goaltender Cory Schneider, a former Boston College star, enters familiar territory in this visit to Boston and is expected to make his fourth consecutive start. He's opened with a 1.99 GAA and .935 save percentage in his first three games. Schneider made 23 saves in New Jersey's 2-1 victory over Anaheim on Tuesday,
Boston: Patrice Bergeron, a three-time 30-goal scorer, is set to make his season debut on Thursday. "Of course. I want to be (back) as fast as possible," Bergeron said. "That's the talk I've had all week with (the medical staff). But at the same time you have to respect their opinion that they're the ones that are putting the team and my interest in front and making sure we're all taking care of that. So we'll see what happens." Bergeron was not limited in practice Wednesday and is expected to replace veteran David Backes and rejoin linemates Brad Marchand and Pastrnak. However, with Bergeron out, free agent signee David Backes centered Brad Marchand and Pastrnak, and all three players were a plus-7 in the three games.
The pick: The Bruins struggled badly at home last season (17-18-6) but the Devils have exited TD Garden with losses in nine of the last 10 games played in Boston. As for NJ goalie Cory Schneider, he's just 1-3-2 with a 2.81 goals-against average versus his hometown team. Boston's Tuukka Rask missed the middle game of the team's opening three-game road trip because of soreness but was outstanding in the win at Winnipeg, where he made 34 saves and became the first Bruins goalie ever with two assists in a game. He'll be in net tonight, bringing a 4-3-2 record with a 1.57 goals-against average against the Devils. Boston is an 8* play.
New Jersey: Taylor Hall, the top overall pick of the 2010 draft, scored two power-play goals on Tuesday for his first two points since being acquired from Edmonton for Adam Larsson on June 29. New Jersey goaltender Cory Schneider, a former Boston College star, enters familiar territory in this visit to Boston and is expected to make his fourth consecutive start. He's opened with a 1.99 GAA and .935 save percentage in his first three games. Schneider made 23 saves in New Jersey's 2-1 victory over Anaheim on Tuesday,
Boston: Patrice Bergeron, a three-time 30-goal scorer, is set to make his season debut on Thursday. "Of course. I want to be (back) as fast as possible," Bergeron said. "That's the talk I've had all week with (the medical staff). But at the same time you have to respect their opinion that they're the ones that are putting the team and my interest in front and making sure we're all taking care of that. So we'll see what happens." Bergeron was not limited in practice Wednesday and is expected to replace veteran David Backes and rejoin linemates Brad Marchand and Pastrnak. However, with Bergeron out, free agent signee David Backes centered Brad Marchand and Pastrnak, and all three players were a plus-7 in the three games.
The pick: The Bruins struggled badly at home last season (17-18-6) but the Devils have exited TD Garden with losses in nine of the last 10 games played in Boston. As for NJ goalie Cory Schneider, he's just 1-3-2 with a 2.81 goals-against average versus his hometown team. Boston's Tuukka Rask missed the middle game of the team's opening three-game road trip because of soreness but was outstanding in the win at Winnipeg, where he made 34 saves and became the first Bruins goalie ever with two assists in a game. He'll be in net tonight, bringing a 4-3-2 record with a 1.57 goals-against average against the Devils. Boston is an 8* play.
