Bruins Return to Ice Facing Challenges After Two-Week Break

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins are set to return to the ice on Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden after a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The Bruins currently sit one point out of a playoff spot with 25 games remaining in the regular season, raising the stakes for the remainder of the season.

Interim Head Coach Joe Sacco emphasized the importance of the upcoming games. “We’ve talked to the team about expectations moving forward and the way we want to go about achieving those goals,” he said. Sacco highlighted the need for a strong mini training camp in the days leading up to the game, saying, “The pace in camp was good. I thought the intensity was good.”

However, the Bruins will be challenged as they start the final stretch of the season without key defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. McAvoy sustained an injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off, while Lindholm has been out since mid-November. Sacco stated, “Everybody needs to step up, that’s just the way it is right now,” adding that players like Brandon Carlo and Nikita Zadorov will take on additional responsibilities.

The team may also be without Mason Lohrei, who is questionable for the matchup against the Ducks due to illness. Sacco confirmed, “If he can’t go, [Jordan] Oesterle will be in.” With an opportunity for Zadorov to fill in on the power play, he expressed readiness for the challenge: “Somebody on the back end’s gotta step up and fill those minutes, fill those roles.”

The Ducks enter the game riding a three-game winning streak, looking to continue their success on their Eastern road trip. Currently, the Ducks hold a record of 24-24-6 with 54 points and trail the Vancouver Canucks by nine points for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Leading the Ducks is Troy Terry, who has amassed 39 points in 49 games, including 16 goals. The Bruins’ defense will face tough competition from Ryan Strome, Mason McTavish, and Alex Killorn, who are among the team’s top scorers.

As the Bruins gear up for their match against the Ducks, they aim to regain their momentum. The team struggles to find offensive consistency, sitting 25th in goals scored with an average of 2.75 goals per game.

Tonight’s game is crucial for both teams as they fight to gain ground in the playoff race. The Bruins, currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, will need to leverage their home advantage at TD Garden.

The puck drops at 7 PM ET, and the matchup will be broadcast on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub.