Who: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs
What: Game 25 of the 2011-12 season.
When: 7:00 PM EST
Where: TSN, Gamecenter Live, or on the radio via AM640.
Thanks in part to a soft schedule, the Bruins have gone 11-0-1 in the month of November. They've bucked the Stanley Cup Hangover narratives and catapulted from the basement to the heels of the division leading Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won their last three straight. Tonight's game is the first half of a two game series against the B's, and walking away with two points - or better, tying the season series - would be a big help for the Buds' playoff chances.
Jonas Gustavsson gets the start tonight, likely against Tim Thomas. Jonas is carrying a .914 in the month of November, pulling his season average up to .901. He'll need a big game tonight, as the Leafs have been outscored by the bruins a combined 13-2 and outshot by 63-53 over the first two games of the season series, one of which included the only time the Leafs' have been shut out so far this season. Reimer sits on the bench, but as it's his first game off IR, let's hope the Leafs don't have to turn to the young goalie.
Grabovski had some bizarre linemates last game, spending some time with Rosehill and Dupuis, and then a little PP time with Connolly and MacArthur. But Bozak and Connolly are running hot in the #1 and 2 slots, and Wilson seems like he doesn't want to mess up a good thing. Grabbo spent the afternoon practice on the fourth line again today, so it'll be interesting to see what situations and linemates he'll get when he's on the ice.
The Leafs are still missing Komisarek, Armstrong, Brown, and Lombardi to injury, while the Bruins' site lists Savard as the only player on injured reserve. Gunnarsson is still listed as a game time decision, so the defensive pairings probably won't be locked down until after warmups. Aulie is currently listed as being on the Leafs official roster, and will likely play if Gunnarsson needs replacing.
Your forwards tonight, via Jonas Siegel:
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Connolly-Kulemin
Crabb-Colborne-Frattin
Rosehill-Grabovski-Dupuis
Go Leafs Go!
