Bruins at Flames
The Boston Bruins haven't been shy about lighting up the scoreboard since failing to locate their offense in the season opener. With 22 goals highlighting their four-game winning streak, the Bruins bid to keep their good fortune going Wednesday when they begin a four-game Canadian road trip against the Calgary Flames.
Patrice Bergeron (five goals, 11 points) continued his sizzling start to the season with three assists in Boston's 8-2 romp over Detroit on Saturday to cap a stretch that ultimately led him to being named the NHL's First Star of the Week. "It's going to be important that we rely on what we've been doing well here in Boston. We just need to bring that with us," the four-time Selke Trophy recipient said of the upcoming road trip. Former Boston College star Johnny Gaudreau scored in overtime of a 3-2 victory at Colorado on Saturday to increase his point total to a team-leading eight (two goals) and give Calgary its third win in four outings. The 25-year-old Gaudreau has gashed the Bruins for five goals and three assists in seven career encounters, including one of each in last season's two-game series.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet 360 (Calgary)
ABOUT THE BRUINS (4-1-0): The top line of David Pastrnak (six goals, two assists), Bergeron (four goals, five assists) and Brad Marchand (one goal, five assists) have scorched the competition over the last three games, although all three deflected the praise in favor of the others. Tuukka Rask has answered getting pulled in the season opener with strong outings versus Ottawa and Detroit at TD Garden, however the former Vezina Trophy winner has his guard up as Boston prepares to hit the road. "Going a long way from home is always challenging, battling time difference and what not, especially the first day or two," the 31-year-old Finn said. "But I think what we're trying to accomplish in my mind is to play the same kind of game on the road as we play at home."
ABOUT THE FLAMES (3-2-0): Alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk warned his teammates that a slow start would be their undoing against a talented Boston squad. "The Bruins are one of the top teams in the league with one of the best group of forwards around," the 20-year-old Tkachuk said Tuesday. "We just need to establish good habits and make sure our pace matches or even exceeds theirs." Centers Sean Monahan and Mikael Backlund are expected to face the Bruins after returning to practice Tuesday following their respective one-day maintenance breaks.
OVERTIME
1. Offseason acquisition C Elias Lindholm continues to pay dividends for Calgary as he scored against the Avalanche to increase his point streak to four games (four goals, two assists).
2. The Bruins' special teams are running at both ends of the spectrum, with their power play clicking (5-for-12) and their penalty kill (11-of-16) struggling.
3. Flames D Noah Hanifin was raised in Norwood, Mass., and spent a year at Boston College.