The Boston Bruins are set to face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets today, continuing their busy schedule. After a decisive 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, the Bruins will play their second game in consecutive nights. The matchup will take place at Nationwide Arena, starting at 5 p.m. This is the second of three meetings between the two teams in this regular season. Boston previously defeated Columbus 4-2 on February 26.
Playoff Stakes for Both Teams
Both teams are engaged in a tight playoff race within the Eastern Conference. Currently, Columbus occupies the second wild-card spot with 87 points, while Boston is just ahead in the first wild-card position with 90 points. The competition is intensifying as the season nears its conclusion.
Coaching Insights
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm expressed optimism about his team’s performance under pressure. “The tighter it gets, the more excited my guys are getting, too. That’s a good sign,” he stated. Sturm highlighted the increasing comfort level of his players as they approach crucial game moments.
Starting Goaltender
The Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman will start in goal. This marks the first instance this season where he will play both games in a back-to-back situation. Swayman recently recorded 31 saves against the Wild, boasting a goals-against average of 2.72 and a save percentage of .908 across 49 games. Sturm noted Swayman’s exceptional performance and competitive nature, saying, “He’s been outstanding. I think he’s one of the best goalies in the league right now.”
Lineup Changes
Henri Jokiharju will join the Bruins’ lineup, replacing Mason Lohrei, who is sidelined due to an upper-body injury. Jokiharju recently played against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he recorded an assist. Sturm provided insight into Lohrei’s situation, indicating it has been a persistent issue. “He’s been playing really good, he was just not 100%,” Sturm added.
Power Play Adjustments
Sturm also mentioned adjustments to the Bruins’ power play, which has been working to regain its prior consistency. “Today we’re going to switch it up a little bit and see if that helps,” he explained. The team plans to utilize two different power play units in hopes of sparking improvement in this critical area.
Conclusion
As the Bruins gear up for this important game against the Blue Jackets, their focus will be on solidifying their playoff position. With a competitive spirit and strategic adjustments, the Bruins aim to secure another victory tonight at Nationwide Arena.
