The Bruins are rolling into Friday night with the same skaters they’ve used to build a three-game winning streak, but the biggest headline in Anaheim is in goal. Boston will open against the Ducks at Honda Center with rookie Michael DiPietro getting the start, his second of the season and his first since a team-wide disappointing effort against the Minnesota Wild two weeks ago.
DiPietro’s turn comes with Jeremy Swayman lined up to start tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings. That leaves Boston leaning on the rookie in a fresh spot after its 6-3 win Tuesday night in San Jose, where the Bruins got by the youthful Sharks.
Up front, the Bruins are sticking with the same groups. Morgan Geekie will skate with Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak, while Marat Khusnutdinov centers Fraser Minten and JJ Peterka. Casey Mittelstadt is between Elias Lindholm and James Hagens, and Tanner Jeannot rounds out the forward groups with Matthew Poitras and Mark Kastelic.
On the back end, there’s no movement either. Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy remain together, with Nikita Zadorov paired with Will Borgen and Frederic Brunet alongside Mason Lohrei.
McAvoy’s presence continues to matter after he returned from a six-game suspension and scored in his first game back. Connor Clifton is still out of the lineup after losing his spot when McAvoy rejoined the defense, and Sean Kuraly is a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game.
Confirmed Bruins Lineup:
Forwards: Morgan Geekie - Pavel Zacha - David Pastrnak
Marat Khusnutdinov - Fraser Minten - JJ Peterka
Casey Mittelstadt - Elias Lindholm - James Hagens
Tanner Jeannot - Matthew Poitras - Mark Kastelic
Defense: Hampus Lindholm - Charlie McAvoy
Nikita Zadorov - Will Borgen
Frederic Brunet - Mason Lohrei
Starting Goalie: Michael DiPietro
In Other News...
Bruins Suddenly Have A Goalie Decision Before Kings Game
The Bruins kept rolling with a 4-2 win over the Ducks, stretching their winning streak to four games and pushing their record to 6-2-0. It was another encouraging night for a team that has found a rhythm early, with the group continuing to stack points as it heads into its next test against the Kings.
Boston also got a notable boost from its crease in Anaheim, and that now leaves a familiar kind of question hanging over the next game in Los Angeles. The Bruins have a decision to make on how they want to handle goal in the short term, and after a stretch like this, it is the sort of choice that could matter as much as the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Slow Start Couldnt Stop A Breakout Fans Needed To See
A sluggish opening did little to derail the Bruins in Anaheim, where they steadied themselves and left with a needed win over a team that had given them trouble for a while. The victory pushed Boston to 6-2-0 and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Ducks, while the group in front of its backup goalie eventually found enough rhythm to turn the night around.
Michael DiPietro handled the rest with 25 saves in a performance that fit the moment for a team navigating a back-to-back road trip. Bostons offense also did its part with power-play goals from Frederic Brunet, David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm before Matthew Poitras added insurance to close it out, a mix of production and response that should matter to a club still sorting out its early-season identity. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Got The Response They Needed From An Unlikely Source
The Bruins needed a lift after spotting Anaheim a two-goal first-period lead, and they found it in a night that had a little bit of everything. Boston rallied for a 4-2 win behind goals from Frederic Brunet, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm and Matt Poitras, while the special teams did their part with a 3-for-4 power play and a perfect penalty kill.
Michael DiPietro was the one steadying the whole thing from there, turning aside 25 shots and giving Boston exactly the kind of response it was looking for. For a team trying to keep momentum going, getting that sort of calm, timely work in net from an unexpected source can matter just as much as the comeback itself. [Read more 🡒]