Marco Sturm Returns to LA as Bruins Face Kings Tonight

LOS ANGELES –– Marco Sturm will coach the Boston Bruins at Crypto.com Arena for the first time on Friday as they face the Los Angeles Kings. The game is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.

Sturm, a former Kings assistant, spent seven years in Los Angeles and expressed mixed emotions about returning. “It’s good. A little weird on the other side. It’s always nice,” Sturm said. He added, “I knew one day I’m going to miss it. They’re just good people.”

Sturm was the head coach of the Ontario Reign, LA’s AHL affiliate, before taking the helm of the Bruins. “They taught me how to actually coach in the NHL,” he noted. “I had to go through those phases in minors, and I’m glad I did it.”

Forward Tanner Jeannot is also returning to LA after playing 67 games for the Kings last season. Jeannot, who signed a five-year contract with the Bruins in July, has notched nine points this season. “Whenever you come back to a building you used to play in, you obviously have some feelings,” he said.

The Bruins are aiming to rebound after a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks earlier this week. Jeannot emphasized the need for smart puck control against the Kings. “They’re going to be really right defensively, and they’re going to be waiting for their opportunities to strike,” he said.

Boston is currently ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings hold the sixth position in the Western Conference. The Bruins are looking to improve their record following a tough road trip.