Bruins @ Rangers 3/23

This isn’t my chair

Good evening everyone!
After what I’m not convinced was three and a half months since a Bruins game, here we are tonight at monosodium glutamate Madison Square Garden where the Bruins (39-26-8 86pts) take on the Rangers (41-24-8 90pts) The Bruins have a 3 point buffer on the teams above and below them in the standings, so tonight’s game won’t change the playoff picture for the Bruins, but boy 2 points would be huge.

It’s Rivalry Night™ so get ready for Doc’s obsessive use of random made up words and Pierre’s deep dive history bag for bit players we’ve only heard of once or twice.

We’ve missed Bruins hockey for 3 days minimum & for some who can’t make it for west coast games even longer, you take away our Jack & Brick? What gives TV people?

Tonight’s Bruins Lines

#NHLBruins AM rushes:
Marchand—Bergeron—Stempniak
Eriksson—Krejci—Pastrnak
Beleskey—Spooner—Hayes/Connolly
Ferraro/Vatrano—Acciari—Randell

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 23, 2016

#NHLBruins AM defense pairs:
Chara—Miller
Liles—Seidenberg
Krug—McQuaid
Morrow—Trotman

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 23, 2016

Tonight’s Rangers Lines
(these lines are from dailyfaceoff.com last updated 3/21)
Nash – Brassard – Fast
Kreider – Stepan – Zuccarello
Miller – Staal – Hayes
Glass – Moore – Stalberg

McDonagh – Klein
Staal – Boyle
Yandle – Girardi

Lundqvist
Raanta

Great to see Vatrano back in Boston after scorching the AHL with 33 goals in 33 games. Aptly nicknamed “The Springfield Rifle” by Kirk Luedeke, his scoring is much needed as the offense has seemed to cool off some. For those complaining about him only getting 4th line ice time, our little ball of hate Brad Marchand got his start with the Bruins on the 4th line, and he’s pretty good I guess right?

Today in NHL history
In 1972, Gary Cheevers extends his unbeaten streak to 31 games going 24-0-7 with a 4-1 win against the Rangers.

There’s nine games left in the regular season (seriously, where did this season go?!) Every game, point, beer, cocktail, dinner, pumpkin spice latte matters now.

What’s on tap?