Red Wings at Bruins
The Boston Bruins are making a season-opening drubbing at Washington a distant memory, ripping off three decisive victories entering a Saturday matinee against the visiting Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins have outscored opponents 14-4 during their three-game run and have a nine-game point streak against reeling Detroit (8-0-1).
Boston's No. 1 line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak each scored in Thursday's 4-1 win over Edmonton and has accounted for 22 points in the past three games. Bergeron has a team-high five goals while Pastrnak has four and "seems to be a lot more of a complete player," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "He doesn't want to let Bergy and March down." The Red Wings kick off a four-game road trip after dropping a 5-3 decision to high-powered Toronto on Thursday to fall to 0-2-2, their worst start since dropping their first five in 1980. “I thought in bits and pieces of the game we did a lot of good things," Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "But when we're not doing it right, we're not as good."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (0-2-2): Detroit has scored only nine goals in its four games and coach Jeff Blashill said the team can help that production by creating a presence in front of the opposing goaltender. "Everyone's got to share their turn at the net front," Blashill said. "The net front is where, in my opinion, easy goals are scored. ... I think it's something we got to continue to pound home to our guys." Rookie Dennis Cholowski practiced Friday but is expected to sit out along with fellow defensemen Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (3-1-0): While the top line is sizzling, Cassidy continues to look for a fit alongside David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk on the second unit. Joakim Nordstrom was elevated to the No. 2 line and responded by scoring his first goal of the season against Edmonton. "He'll play there tomorrow," Cassidy said. "I think he adds a level of veteran responsibility to that line as well. That helps if he can finish some plays and maybe stays there because that's what you want out of that spot, some offensive production."
OVERTIME
1. Marchand had five goals and 10 points in three games against the Red Wings last season.
2. Detroit hasn't won in the regular season at Boston since Oct. 14, 2013.
3. Bruins G Tuukka Rask owns a 12-5-2 record and 2.58 goals-against average versus the Red Wings.