Bruins at Blackhawks
THE STORY: The reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins try to get coach Claude Julien a milestone victory Saturday when they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Julien is in search of the 300th win of his NHL coaching career, which began in 2002-03 with the Montreal Canadiens and included a stint with the New Jersey Devils in 2006-07 before he landed in Beantown the following season. Julien has been denied the landmark triumph as the Bruins have dropped two straight games, including a 3-2 setback at Carolina on Wednesday. Chicago is looking to conclude its three-game homestand with a perfect record as it already has posted wins over Dallas and Winnipeg. The Bruins are 2-0-2 in their last four visits to the Windy City and 5-1-1 in their last seven overall meetings with the Blackhawks.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NESN, WGN, NHL Network
ABOUT THE BRUINS (1-3-0): Boston will be without David Krejci, who is missing his second straight game due to an abdominal injury. Defenseman Adam McQuaid also may be out of the lineup after suffering a head injury in Wednesday's loss to the Hurricanes. The Bruins have not disclosed whether or not McQuaid has a concussion. Boston has lost six of its last seven road games dating back to last season.
ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (2-1-0): Corey Crawford practiced again Friday and apparently is ready for action after riding the bench in Thursday's victory over Winnipeg with a groin injury. With a roster that boasts such talented forwards as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp, Chicago is led in goals by Dave Bolland, who has collected three in as many games this season. Newcomer Andrew Brunette (two) is the only other Blackhawk with more than one tally thus far.
OVERTIME:
1. In each of the last three seasons, the first meeting between the two most recent Stanley Cup champions have gone beyond regulation to determine a winner. Chicago, the 2010 Cup winner, needed a shootout to defeat 2009 champion Pittsburgh last campaign.
2. Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton and Patrice Bergeron, Boston's top three goal-scorers last season, have yet to register a tally through four contests.