For the first time since the start of May, hockey is back at TD Garden. Follow along for updates from Monday’s matinee between the Bruins and the Senators.
WHO: Senators (1-0-1) at Bruins (1-1-0)
WHEN: 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: TD Garden, Boston
TV: NESN
RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub
LIVE BOX SCORE: NHL.com
TICKETS: BSJ ticket partner SeatsForEveryone.com
LIVE COVERAGE:
3:43: FINAL: Bruins win, 6-3.
3:38: Senators score seconds later. 5-3 game with 2:57 to go.
3:38: 5-2 Bruins. Bergeron sets up Pastrnak for his second goal of the season.
And now we have “Yankees Suck” chants at the #NHLBruins game. pic.twitter.com/tooQzDMTq9
Patrice Bergeron's first goal marked the third fastest to begin a home-opening game in @NHLBruins franchise history. #NHLStats #NHLFaceoff pic.twitter.com/8xQRrTWiK3
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 8, 2018
- The B's power play still looks pretty rusty, especially without Torey Krug at the point. But, it might not matter when you have guys like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand out there.
- Brandon Carlo owes Tuukka Rask and David Backes a beer for that rough sequence that led to a prime Sens scoring chance. Backes with the clutch kick save in the slot.
- Not a good period from Matt Grzelcyk, with three takeaways in the stanza. Quite a few turnovers, including a lazy pass on the power play that led to a 2-on-1 chance for Ottawa. Might be worth switching Grzelcyk and McAvoy on power-play units.
- The shuffling on the third and fourth lines have panned out so far. The Wagner-Kuraly-Acciari line has been relentless on the forecheck, while Anders Bjork has shown used his wheels to get the puck out of danger. Still, that third line has been on the ice for quite a few scoring chances.
David Backes kick save and a beauty #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/QgIhn4QVdX
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) October 8, 2018
- Expect a number of lineup changes for today’s matinee, especially on both the third and fourth line. David Backes is the latest forward to get a spin at third-line center, with the veteran set to skate on the third line with Danton Heinen and Anders Bjork. Despite being limited by injuries last season, Backes formed a nice partnership with Heinen on the third line, while Bjork is looking to get back up to speed following major shoulder surgery.
- Tuukka Rask will get the start in net, with the B’s netminder looking to rebound in his first taste of game action since getting pulled in Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Capitals in Washington, D.C. For more on Rask’s return and the B’s lineup, click here.
- The Ottawa Senators are in line for another miserable campaign after trading away franchise star Erik Karlsson, but the Sens have impressed so far this year, dropping an overtime matchup against the Blackhawks before taking down Toronto on Saturday. Young defenseman Thomas Chabot has been strong through two games, leading the team with two goals and four points. BU product and 2018 fourth overall pick Brady Tkachuk will also make his debut today for Ottawa.
- Warwick, Rhode Island’s Todd Angilly will handle anthem duties today at TD Garden, with the probation officer / bartender set to form part of a rotation of singers that will fill the shoes left by Rene Rancourt, who retired at the end of the 2017-18 season.
- Bruins fans attending Monday’s home opener have a chance to win big, as the franchise will hold its largest 50/50 raffle in what will celebrate the partnership between the Boston Bruins Foundation and Special Olympics Massachusetts. The jackpot minimum for Monday’s game is set for at $250,000, which guarantees the winner $125,000. Proceeds from this 50/50 raffle will benefit SOMA, with 50 SOMA athletes set to be in attendance for Monday’s game.