Rask was set to start Saturday’s game in Toronto, but he was held out because he was dinged up. The Bruins are optimistic that Rask will be good to go tonight, but there will not be confirmation until after their morning skate. Rask stopped 28 of 31 shots in the Bruins’ season opening win in Columbus last Thursday.
Rask allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Bruins win in Columbus on Thursday. Rask allowed two goals in the first period, but settled in nicely and was able to secure his first win of the season. Rask will try and string two wins together tonight vs. a Maple Leafs team that he dominated last year. The Finnish netminder was 4-0-1 with a 1.95 GAA and .935 SV% in five starts against Toronto in 2015-16.
Bergeron missed the Bruins’ season opener with a lower-body injury and will be held out of tonight’s contest as well. His absence on Thursday didn’t seem to affect the Bruins much, as David Backes stepped in seamlessly. Bergeron remains day-to-day.
By Rask’s standards, 2015-16 wasn’t a good year for the Bruins’ netminder. However, he still won 31 games with 2.56 GAA and .915 SV%. The 29-year-old has been one of the better goalies in the NHL for the better part of seven season and should improve on last year’s numbers in 2016-17. He is a solidified No.1 in Boston and in fantasy circles and could get off to a nice start in Columbus. Rask was 17-8-3 with a 2.37 GAA and .924 SV% in 30 starts on the road last year--significantly better than his home numbers. Surprisingly.
Bergeron was held off of the ice during the Bruins’ practice on Wednesday and will miss their season opener on Thursday. With Bergeron out, David Backes will shift to centre and take his spot between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Bergeron is listed as day-to-day.
Krejci is recovering from offseason hip surgery and will get in his first game action since the procedure on Tuesday. Consistency is the name of the game for the Czech centre, who is coming off of a 17-goal, 46-assist season in 2015-16.
Johnson took part in the Lightning’s optional morning skate this morning, but remains a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. the Red Wings. The Lightning vs. Red Wings get underway at 7:00 p.m., so monitor his status when they hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m. Johnson torched the Red Wings last season, scoring six goals with one assist (seven points) in seven games. He finished the playoffs with 23 points (13G / 10A).
Johnson centred the Lightning’s top line in Tuesday’s practice and appears to be on track to play in Game 1 vs. the Red Wings. Johnson is expected to take part in Wednesday’s morning skate before he makes a decision whether or not he can play in the series opener.
Johnson suffered an upper-body injury in the Lightning’s season finale on Saturday and did not return. He was not on the ice for Monday’s practice so the Lightning will wait and see if he is available for Tuesday’s practice.
Zacha, 19, was the Devils first round pick (6th overall) in 2015 and has finished up his second season with Sarnia. In 51 regular season games he collected 64 points (28G / 36A) and 13 points (6G / 7A) in seven playoff games. Look for him to make his NHL debut in the Devils’ season finale.
Korpisalo allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Rangers on Monday. Korpisalo has lost three of his last four starts while posting a 2.79 GAA and .913 SV%. Tonight he will face the Sabres, who he is 0-1-0 against, on the road where he has gone 6-7-1 with a 2.83 GAA and .913 SV% this season.
Rask made 27 saves on 28 shots in the Bruins shootout loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. He is expected to get the start for the Bruins in a must-win game vs. the Red Wings. He has started the last seven games, going 2-4-1 with a 3.14 GAA and .890 SV%. Rask is 1-0-0 with a 3.96 GAA and .872 SV% in two games against the Red Wings this season.
Rask made 27 saves on 28 shots in the Bruins shootout loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. He is expected to get the start for the Bruins in a must-win game vs. the Red Wings. He has started the last seven games, going 2-4-1 with a 3.14 GAA and .890 SV%. Rask is 1-0-0 with a 3.96 GAA and .872 SV% in two games against the Red Wings this season.
Rask was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots in the Bruins loss in Chicago on Sunday. Rask has struggled at the wrong time for the Bruins, losing six of his last eight starts. Tonight he faces a Hurricanes team that he is 1-0-1 with a 1.98 GAA and .941 SV% against this season.
Rask was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots in the Bruins loss in Chicago on Sunday. Rask has struggled at the wrong time for the Bruins, losing six of his last eight starts. Tonight he faces a Hurricanes team that he is 1-0-1 with a 1.98 GAA and .941 SV% against this season.
