Bruins Face Utah Hockey Club in First Game Under Interim Coach Joe Sacco

The Boston Bruins are set to face the Utah Hockey Club at the TD Garden on Thursday evening, marking their first game under the direction of interim head coach Joe Sacco. The change in leadership comes amid Boston’s challenging start to the season, with a record of 8-9-3, and a second three-game losing streak.

Joe Sacco stepped into the role on Tuesday after the departure of head coach Jim Montgomery. Montgomery had previously led the team to remarkable success, earning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach just two seasons ago. However, recent performance issues led to a shift in coaching strategy, as the Bruins seek to revitalize their gameplay and regain their competitive edge.

«We have good players in this room, and they’re capable of more,» Sacco stated following a practice session. «It’s our job as a coaching staff to make sure that we get it out of them, and I think it starts there with our work ethic.» Sacco brings prior head coaching experience, having managed the Colorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013.

On the ice, Utah Hockey Club arrives with a record of 7-8-3 and is also experiencing a two-game losing streak. The team recently faced defeats against the Golden Knights and the Capitals, with significant challenges in their power play, going 0 for 7 against Washington.

For the game lineup, Sacco is expected to make strategic changes, including a switch in goaltending, with Joonas Korpisalo set to replace Jeremy Swayman. The defensive pairings are also likely to see adjustments, as Parker Wotherspoon and Brandon Carlo prepare to defend the net.

Meanwhile, Utah’s coach, Andre Tourigny, has been reworking his offensive lines before the matchup. Notably, Dylan Guenther has been moved to the top line alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Bjugstad, while Nick Schmaltz, still without a goal this season, has been reassigned to the third line and second power-play unit.

Boston and Utah face off with both teams struggling offensively and defensively. The Bruins have managed more than two goals in only one of their last five games, while Utah has lost five of its last seven. Statistically, the teams share the league’s highest penalty minutes, a point of concern for both coaching staffs.