Gameday Blog: Bruins vs. Red Wings

SECOND INTERMISSION

SCORE
DET – 2
BOS – 1

SHOTS
DET – 20
BOS – 23

The Bruins got in the board in the second period but still trail, as Detroit will head to the third leading 2-1.

A giveaway by Jimmy Howard behind his own net led to Boston’s tally. Nathan Horton picked off a pass intended for a Wings’d-man and promptly sent a nice backhanded pas to Dan Paille. Paille beat a scrambling Howard, making it 1-1.

Unfortunately it only took Detroit 35 seconds to regain the lead when Pavel Datsyuk slipped through defenders and beat Rask to make it 2-1.

Nathan Horton had a glimmering opportunity a few minutes later, as he received a pass right in front to Howard’s right and had a yawning cage to put the puck in. Unfortunately No. 18 fanned on the feed.

Otherwise, we had ourselves a pretty uneventful period — a pity for those expecting a scintillating tilt on NBC this afternoon.

David Krejci continues to stink on faceoffs. He’s won just one of nine thus far.

Johnny Boychuk has also struggled, as the defenseman was well out of position on both of Detroit’s tallies.

FIRST INTERMISSION

SCORE
DET – 1
BOS – 0

SHOTS
DET – 6
BOS – 13

Twenty minutes are in the books here at the Garden where the Red Wings lead the Bruins 1-0.

Boston dominated play out of the gate, jumping to a 10-2 advantage in shots as Detroit was on their heels.

But, with 7:17 remaining in the opening frame, Valtteri Filppula beat Tuukka Rask, staking the Wings to a 1-0 advantage.

The Bruins had two power plays in the opening frame but failed to convert on either opportunity.

In over seven minutes of ice time in the first period, David Krejci had zero shots on goal and lost all four faceoffs he took.

PREGAME NOTES

Here are today’s pregame notes (courtesy of the Boston Bruins):

STARTING GOALTENDERS: Rask (3-3-0, 2.32 GAA, .919 Save %) vs. Howard
(11-5-1, 1.92 GAA, .927 Save %). Rask is 0-1-0 with a 7.50 GAA and .737
Save % in one career game against Detroit. Howard is 2-0-0 with a 1.50
GAA and .941 Save % in two career games against the Bruins.

LINESMAN CHANGE: Please note there is a linesman change for today’s
game: Derek Nansen (#70) will replace Steve Miller (#89).

SELLOUT STREAK: The Bruins enter tonight’s game having sold out their
last 97 consecutive home games at the TD Garden, including regular
season and playoffs.

STREAKING: The Bruins have won ten straight games, outscoring their
opponents 47-17 during this streak… The 10-game winning streak is tied
for the fourth longest streak in team history, four wins shy of the team
record set during the 1929-30 season… Boston has won six straight home
games with their last loss on home ice coming on October 27 against
Montreal.

“BLACK DOG” FRIDAY: The first 5,000 fans through turnstiles today
received an exclusive Black Dog Friday t-shirt, courtesy of The Black
Dog. Starting today, November 25, fans can receive an exclusive Black
Dog Bruins logo hat as a free gift when they purchase the limited
edition Gold Dog Tee online at theblackdog.com (while supplies last).

BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY: Today’s game marks the 20th consecutive Black
Friday home matinee for the Bruins and they enter the game with a 10-7-2
record.