Lightning at Bruins
The Boston Bruins have not put up any impressive offensive numbers through the first nine games. Their best statistic is in the win column, however, as they have lost just once in regulation. The Bruins have been riding their stingy defense this season - and will look for it to come up big when they host the suddenly struggling Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Boston is in the middle of the pack in scoring and second to last on the power play, with only one player compiling more than six points. Tuukka Rask has made a smooth transition to the No. 1 goalie role and the Bruins have been outstanding on the penalty kill.
The Lightning, who scored 37 goals in winning six of their first seven contests, have netted only five during a three-game losing streak. Tampa Bay’s power play, which was red hot early on, is 0-for-8 in the last two games. Saturday's contest was moved from its originally scheduled time of 1 to 7 p.m. due to the snowy weather conditions.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SunSports (Tampa), NESN (Boston).
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (6-4-0): After winning only 13 times on the road last season, one of the Lightning’s goals was to improve its play away from the Tampa Bay Times Forum. It hasn’t happened yet, with three losses in four road games. The Lightning have managed only 41 shots combined over the last two games and have spent too much time clearing in their own zone. Steven Stamkos has seven goals and 17 points to lead the team and Martin St. Louis’ 13 assists are the most in the NHL. Rookie Cory Conacher is going through his first mini-slump with no points in the last three games.
ABOUT THE BRUINS (7-1-1): Leading goal-scorer Brad Marchand (five) missed Wednesday's game at Montreal with an upper-body injury and could return against the Lightning. Marchand adds the bite to the Bruins’ lineup and Tyler Seguin is the burgeoning offensive star. Seguin is off to a slow start, but he could be ready to break out after recording a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over the Canadiens. David Krejci is off to a solid start with nine points and a plus-6. Rask has started eight of nine games, sporting a 1.97 goals-against average. Fourth-line forward Daniel Paille is questionable with an eye injury.
OVERTIME
1. Bruins C Patrice Bergeron leads the league in faceoff percentage (63.4) for players with more than 34 taken.
2. Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier leads the team in hits with 27.
3. The teams split four games last season, each winning a pair on home ice.