Preview: Bruins close out 2024 with a matinee in DC
12/31/2024 07:00 AM
Auld lang syne, etc.
Just the facts
When: Today, 12:30 PM
Where: Capital One Arena - Washington, DC
How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub
Opposing perspective:Japers' Rink
Know your enemy
- 24-10-2, 50PTS, 2nd in the Metropolitan Division
- Dylan Strome: 11G-28A-39PTS; Connor McMichael: 16G-14A-30PTS; Aliaksei Protas: 14G-16A-30PTS
- Logan Thompson: 14-2-2, 2.38 GAA, .916 save percentage
Game notes
- One more time in 2024! This calendar year has had its ups and downs for the Bruins, but they'll have a chance to head into 2025 on a positive note if they can win this afternoon.
- These two teams last faced each other a little more than a week ago, a 4-1 Bruins win at TD Garden. That game was one the B's better all-around games of the season, a game in which they allowed less than a dozen shots on goal. Here's to hoping they can replicate that success.
- In that game, the Bruins faced Charlie Lindgren, who has split time in the crease with Logan Thompson but has been second-best for the Caps. Lindgren started the Caps' loss to Detroit on Sunday, so I'd imagine we'll see Thompson today.
- Alex Ovechkin, who recovered from a broken leg at warp speed, continued his assault on the all-time goals record, humbly scoring in each of his first two games back. The Russian Machine has seven goals in his last four games on either side of the injury.
- After spending much of the season at the top of the NHL's standings, the Caps now find themselves second in their division after New Jersey's recent strong run of play. Still, the Caps remain a top-five team in both team offense (3rd at 3.67 GF/G) and team defense (5th at 2.64 GA/G), so it's not like they've cooled off all that much.
- As you've heard by now, the Bruins returned Fabian Lysell to Providence after his NHL debut on Saturday night.
- Trent Frederic, a pending UFA who hasn't had the best start to the season, says he isn't worried about trade rumors or contract talk.
In case you forgot and want to watch some other hockey today as well, this year's Winter Classic will take place at 5 PM this evening at Wrigley Field in Chicago, with the Blackhawks facing the Blues.
That game will feature a slight Bruins-related wrinkle, as Jim Montgomery and Claude Julien (assistant with the Blues) will be able to say they coached games in two of America's most famous stadiums.
(I also had no idea Claude was an assistant with the Blues. The more you know, etc.)
See ya tonight today!
