Game Day: Pens vs. Bruins — Young Guns

Boston Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Garden this afternoon for what should be another great match up. Some people hate 1pm games; we kinda like the idea of rolling out of bed and heading straight to the Garden for some hockey.

Bruins have scored 17 goals in their last three games, including that 4-2 doggy-style win over the Pens. Offense doesn’t seem a problem anymore, but how long will it last? We’re still waiting for Horton to break the goal line — he’s played well, just not getting breaks. Same with Savvy.

The Bruins are showing some character, finally, on the ice and are finding ways to win games — be it from behind against the Pens, a blowout vs. the Sens or a crazy, back-and-forth epic against the Flithadelphia Flyers. Wins, obviously, matter and the Bruins are finding ways to get points in the standings. They haven’t always been pretty as of late, but ugly wins can turn into winning streaks. Hopefully the Bruins can keep the ball rolling against Pittsburgh this afternoon.

Penguins are still Crosby-less — always a plus.

Ference will be sitting out with an “upper body injury” aka, a pulled groin. Stuart says he’s ready to go but will probably be unlikely for today’s game, and Lucic is still DTD.

Highlights from last Bruins-Pens game. Thanks for the Birthday Win, fellas.

After the jump… Pens and Bruins Guardian go head-to-head… projected roster (it keeps getting younger by the day)… game day links… and your game day video…

Projected Roster:

Michael Ryder-Marc Savard-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Mark Recchi
Blake Wheeler-David Krejci-Tyler Seguin
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara-Steven Kampfer
Dennis Seidenberg-Johnny Boychuk
Matt Bartkowski-Adam McQuaid

Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask

We’re expecting Thomas to start, but after the crazy game the other night, wouldn’t surprise us if Tuukka got the nod.

Also, that’s a really young defensive corp. — half the guys spent most or all of their ’09-’10 season in the AHL. Hell, the team’s pretty young in itself. 

Game Day Links:

• While we get our act together and come up with our own report cards, check out TheHubofHockey.net’s thoughts.
• If you plan on playing some pond hockey soon for the first time, Backyard-Hockey.com has some advice.
• Haggs wants to know: Is it time to name the Bruins among the elite? Better question: Will Boston get to the third round of the playoffs?
• TheBruinsBlog.net says the Bruins have no choice but to keep BAMpFer on the team. We agree. He’s the best unicorn the Bs got.

Game Day Video: 

Time to Go!