Lightning at Bruins
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning have never had much luck playing on the Boston Bruins’ home ice. Even though they played well at the TD Garden during the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Lightning still went 1-3. Tampa Bay has won just four times in 35 games during the regular season at Boston, losing twice in 2010-11. The Lightning are coming off a season-opening 5-1 victory at Carolina on Friday, shaking off a tough first period. The Bruins, who play the first three and 13 of their first 17 at home, had just 23 shots in a 2-1 opening-night loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, SunSports, NESN.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (1-0-0): Victor Hedman was plus-3 and Eric Brewer plus-2 in the opener with five blocked shots combined, anchoring the defense. Twelve different players had at least a point against Carolina, led by Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos (two each). Brett Connolly did not make the score sheet, but played 14:20 in his first NHL game. Steve Downie, hampered by injuries last season, had a goal and a team-high four hits. Mathieu Garon, expected to start in goal Saturday, is 3-1 with a 1.75 goals-against average and .947 save percentage against the Bruins.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (0-1-0): Brad Marchand, who signed a two-year, $5 million contract just before training camp, had the only goal and four shots on net in the loss to Philadelphia. Marchand played mostly with Patrice Bergeron and Rich Peverley. Defenseman Adam McQuaid was held out of the opener with an illness and Matt Bartkowski took his place, playing his seventh NHL game. Jordan Caron, 20, had a strong preseason to earn a spot up front, while free-agent pickup Benoit Pouliot was scratched.
OVERTIME:
1. Marchand scored the last goal of the 2010-11 Stanley Cup finals and the first of this regular season.
2. St. Louis has played 473 consecutive games, the fourth-longest active streak.
3. Andrew Ference will be an assistant captain during home games for the Bruins and Chris Kelly on the road – switching after midseason -- replacing retired Mark Recchi.