Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins Game Preview

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins

February 08.2022

Puck Drop 6pm Est

Location:  TD Garden – Boston, Massachusetts

By The Numbers…

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens Lost the season series 3-5

Current: 2021-22

@ Boston Dec27th -Postponed

The Pens have not played them yet.

Boston is having a similar season to the Penguins.  They began the season slow, hovering near .500, and by no means running away with the division like they used to.  It’s tough to make up ground in the standings, when some of the best teams in the league are in your division (Florida, TB, Toronto).

The B’s were in a cycle of win one – lose one, until they put together a couple of 3-game winning streaks and most recently, a 5-game winning streak (Jan 08-15.2022).

The Bruins are getting healthy and have solidified their goalie issues, by signing Rask.  Boston can be beat.  I just don’t think it will be in this game.

The Penguins always look forward to these games as barometer games.  How do the Pens stack up against the Bruins?  This one is, as always, “a must compete at a high-level” game.

Boston – Players to Watch

Marchand #63 -12th in Overall NHL scoring, with 49 points.

Boston’s Power Play Trio of Bergeron #37, Marchand #63, and Pasternak #88, are simply amazing on the PP. Their pinpoint, tape-to-tape passing is off the charts.  Their ability to control of the puck, while working themselves into open ice or soft spots in the defense, is All-World.

All three of these Bruins are supporting each other, by using the “Magic Triangle”, (puck carrier always has two pass options).  The way they create scoring opportunities, by using the “Magic Triangle”, is textbook. They are always a threat to score when on the ice together.

Boston’s Goalie situation in general.  Who will start?  And how will they play?

Pittsburgh – Players to Watch

Guentzel #59, -19th in Overall NHL scoring, with 46 points.

Crosby #87, is 2 goals shy of 500 for his career.  He also has 40 points in 34 games, since returning from injury.

Penguins Power Play is returning from the dead.  The Pens Power Play that had a 10.8% conversion rate in October, is now at 22.1%, which is ranked 11th overall in the NHL.

Jarry #35, is currently on a personal three game losing streak, his longest of the season to date.  He lost in overtime to Seattle and Washington.  Then took the Shootout loss against Detroit.

Game Analysis / Pens Scouting Report

Pittsburgh Penguins Record 27-11-8 = 62 Pts (3rd in the Metropolitan)

Boston Record 26-14-3 = 55 Pts (4th in the Atlantic)

Pittsburgh Goals For 154

Boston Goals For 131

Pittsburgh Goals Against 124

Boston Goals Against 120

Pittsburgh Goal Differential +30

Boston Goal Differential +11

Pittsburgh Power Play 22.1%

Boston Power Play 26.4%

Pittsburgh Penalty Kill 87.5%

Boston Penalty Kill 83.2%

Pittsburgh Penalty Minutes 304

Boston Penalty Minutes 419

Pittsburgh Shots Per Game 34.6

Boston Shots Per Game 35

Pittsburgh Team Faceoff 51.1%

Boston Team Faceoff 53.9%

Pittsburgh Team Goals Against Average 2.59

Boston Team Goals Against Average 2.77

Pittsburgh Team Save % .919

Boston Team Save % .909

Pittsburgh G – Jarry #35   2.35 GAA

Boston G-Ullmark #35   2.64 GAA

Pittsburgh G – Jarry #35  .927 Save %

Boston G- Ullmark #35  .903 Save %

Key Injuries: Boston Bruins

Vaakanainen-D Jan31.22 DTD Upper Body

Haula-F Jan29.22 IR Covid Protocol

Rask-G Jan27.22 DTD Lower Body

Foligno-F Jan23.22 DTD Upper Body

Frederic-F Jan09.22 IR Upper Body

Zboril – D Dec01.22 IR Torn ACL

Key Injuries: Pittsburgh Penguins

Heinen-F Jan29.22 DTD Upper Body

Blueger-F Jan22.22 IR Jaw

Zucker -FJan19.22 IR Core Muscle

Domingue-G Jan19.22 ID Lower Body

O’Connor-F Jan16.22 IR Upper Body

Pens Picks Quick View:

Offense: Pittsburgh

Defense: Pittsburgh

Special Teams: Tied

Out-Shoot: Boston

Faceoff Win%: Boston

My View from the Cheap Seats

This is always a great game to watch, no matter what time of the season.  The Penguins have stumbled as of late.  The Pens are currently on a 4-game skid that started against the LA Kings on Jan30.22. They lost in overtime to Seattle and Washington, as well as taking a Shootout loss against Detroit.  The Penguins were looking tired and the All-Star break will do them well.

However, I predicted, in my article, “The Penguins vs the Eastern Conference – Part 2”, that this will be a let-down game for the Penguins.

In my humble opinion, comparing and analyzing the data listed above, in My Scouting Report, I still feel the same way, Penguins to Lose.

Quote of the Day:

“Failure does not come from losing, but from not trying”

Larry Brown – NBA Coach

The below Video was Posted After the Article was written.

I should have TRUSTED MY SCOUTING REPORT instead of overthinking the eye test…:)

I was spot on in the 1st Period…and still I’m not sure about Boston’s Goalie situation.