Bruins Face Off Against Rangers: Key Details You Need
The Boston Bruins are set to face the New York Rangers in a highly anticipated Black Friday matchup at TD Garden. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, marking the first of three meetings between these two teams this regular season.
Injury Update and Roster Changes
The Bruins will be challenged as they take the ice without key players David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha due to injuries. Both are listed as day-to-day. Head Coach Marco Sturm expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt, stating, “I am not worried at all because we’ve done it as a group before with a lot of guys out.”
- David Pastrnak: Out due to injury.
- Pavel Zacha: Also sidelined with an injury.
Georgii Merkulov has been recalled from Providence and is expected to make an impact in the lineup. The forward has performed well in the AHL, totaling 14 points from six goals and eight assists in 17 games this season. He previously played 10 NHL games with the Bruins since signing as a free agent in 2022.
Returning to the lineup, Casey Mittelstadt missed significant time due to a lower-body injury sustained on November 6. Before his injury, he had registered nine points, including four goals and five assists, in 15 games. Riley Tufte will also step in to fill a bottom-six role as the team manages its roster under challenging circumstances.
Game Preview: Bruins vs. Rangers
As the Bruins prepare for the Rangers, Sturm acknowledged their opponent’s recent performance improvement. “They had a tough start, but they’ve been pretty good as of late. Very good on the road,” he noted. The rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement, especially for a home game against New York.
Additional Roster Movements
Alongside the recalls and returns, some roster transactions were made. Michael Callahan has been assigned to Providence, while Matěj Blümel was placed on long-term injured reserve following his early exit from Wednesday’s game.
Conclusion
As the Bruins gear up to withstand the pressure of playing without their star players, fans can anticipate an exciting showdown against the Rangers. The matchup promises to be a thrilling start to the holiday weekend.
