Penguins vs Bruins: Boston Aims for Fourth Win in Five Games Under New Coach Joe Sacco

The Boston Bruins are set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a nationally-televised NHL matchup on Friday, November 29, at TD Garden. This game marks the Penguins’ first road outing since November 15 and is scheduled for a 6:30 PM ET puck drop, broadcast on TNT and 98.5 The Sports Hub.

The Bruins have seen a significant turnaround since replacing head coach Jim Montgomery with Joe Sacco. Under Sacco, Boston has won three of their last four games, allowing only six goals in aggregate. This defensive resurgence has been a key factor in their recent success, with the team focusing on simplifying their game and playing strong defensive hockey.

Brad Marchand, the Bruins’ captain, highlighted the team’s new approach: “We’ve really dialed it in defensively. If we continue to do that, play behind teams, play above them, reloads, backchecks, we’re gonna give ourselves an opportunity to win.”

The Penguins, on the other hand, are struggling, having lost seven of their last eight games following a home win. They are 8-12-4 overall and sit in last place in the Metro Division. Despite this, key players like Sidney Crosby, who has 73 points in 59 career games against the Bruins, and Evgeni Malkin, who has 14 points in 11 road games this season, will be crucial in the Penguins’ effort to turn their season around.

Jeremy Swayman will start in goal for the Bruins, and there will be no other lineup changes. The game also marks the return of Matt Grzelcyk to Causeway Street for the first time since he signed with Pittsburgh over the summer.

Betting odds favor the Bruins, with Boston listed at -175 and the Penguins at +150. The over/under is set at 5.5 goals, reflecting the defensive solidity of the Bruins and the Penguins’ recent scoring struggles.

The matchup promises to be intense, with the Bruins aiming to continue their defensive excellence and the Penguins seeking to break their losing streak. Given the recent trends, the Bruins are positioned well to secure another win under Joe Sacco’s leadership.