Wednesday night’s matchup could bring the Bruins’ win streak to three games for the first time this season as they take on the Blackhawks and their league-worst 18 points.
Boston is 5-2 in the seven games since Jim Montgomery was fired on Nov. 19, improving from an 8-9-3 record to begin the season. The team scored 19 goals and allowed 13, ranking 10th and 1st respectively, since their 1-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club that kicked off the Joe Sacco era.
Though their performance is not yet representative of a top team, the Bruins have already improved on both ends of the ice and have soared to the third spot in the Atlantic Division standings.
The Blackhawks’ 8-15-2 record is also the worst in the league, but Chicago ranks eighth in the power play (23.5%). The Bruins, who have the second-highest penalty minutes, could struggle to fend Chicago off with their 78.9% penalty kill.
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: United Center, Chicago
TV, radio: TNT, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -150. O/U: 5.5.
BRUINS
Season record: 13-11-3. vs. spread: 7-20. Over/under: 11-15, 1 push
Last 10 games: 5-4-1. vs. spread: 2-8. Over/under: 3-6, 1 push
BLACKHAWKS
Season record: 8-15-2. vs. spread: 12-12 (1 game with no line). Over/under: 6-15, 3 pushes (1 game with no over/under)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 2-8
TEAM STATISTICS
Goals scored: Boston 67, Chicago 61
Goals allowed: Boston 82, Chicago 78
Power play: Boston 12.4%, Chicago 23.5%
Penalty minutes: Boston 299, Chicago 191
Penalty kill: Boston 79.2%, Chicago 80.3%
Faceoffs won: Boston 51.6%, Chicago 44.2%
Stat of the day: Connor Bedard (19 points) is the Blackhawks leading scorer. He saw his three-game point streak end against the Maple Leafs on Monday.
Notes: The Blackhawks return home Wednesday on the heels of consecutive three-goal losses against the Blue Jackets and Maple Leafs. An empty-net goal late in the third period Monday sealed a 4-1 victory for the Maple Leafs. … “Second and third period, we created chances,” Chicago forward Lukas Reichel said. “It wasn’t Grade A, but we were in the offensive zone buzzing, we went to the net, but unfortunately we didn’t get a good bounce to put (enough) in. We just have to find ways to win the game when it’s 2-1 or when we are down one goal. It’s pretty tough right now.” … Pavel Zacha credited a shift in mindset after Jim Montgomery’s firing for helping the Bruins build and sustain momentum. “I think there’s been a little more shot volume, a little more structure in the defensive zone,” he said. “I think that has helped this team be really good defensively and then go from there. I think that’s working for us.” … It was Zacha’s OT goal that sent the Bruins past the Red Wings on Tuesday at the Garden.
