Game #76 - vs Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins (34-34-6, 74 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (42-23-10, 94 pts)

Prior meetings:
Bruins 5, Penguins 4 (SO) on January 18th in Boston
Bruins 4, Penguins 3 (SO) on November 22nd in Pittsburgh

The Bruins have been struggling. They've lost 7 of their last 9 games, including yesterday afternoon in a shoot out against the Rangers. They've also been struggling on the power play, maybe more than the Pens lately. They've been blanked in 9 of their last 11 games. The Penguins, by contrast, have been shut out on the power play in 5 of their past 6. Neither penalty kill is much of anything special (though the Pens have been playing better of late), so both teams will have a chance to get some offense going.

This is a difficult game for the Pens. The Bruins are effectively out of the playoffs, as they're 10 points back with only 7 games remaining. They'll be a loose bunch, and the Pens have had their struggles against the Bruins lately. It's important to continue to vanquish the demons and beat teams that they've struggled with lately. With three straight games against Boston and Washington, the Flightless Birds should be earning 5 or 6 points in those three games.

The Pens are two points behind the Devils, who won their game last night against Florida. A win today, and things are all tied up (though the Devils will have a game in hand).

Bruins blog - The Bruins Report
Check out this blog for a writeup of yesterday's loss to the Rangers. The Bruins seems to like blowing leads in the third lately.

This game will be a litmus test for the Pens. Can they get up for a team that's not in the playoffs? Can they skate well for two straight early starts? Can they find their offense? I'm hoping for three "Yes!" answers.

Let's Go Pens!