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WGD: Game 79: Red Wings vs. Bruins

Mar 31, 2019, 10:16 EDT

If the Red Wings were a playoff team, this game would be much more interesting as they face off against an Atlantic Division rival. The Boston Bruins have long since clinched a playoff spot and are now playing for home ice, something they are likely going to get with the Toronto Maple Leafs latest stretch of games.

These two teams have faced each other three times already this season, with the Red Wings winning two of them. The lost game was an early season romp by the Bruins, winning 8-2 during the Red Wings initial seven game losing streak.

Now, the Bruins are set to face a team of new face as the Red Wings continue to ice a young, but winning team.

THE RED WINGS

LW	C	RW
DARREN HELM Rating: 70.3#151 LW	DYLAN LARKIN Rating: 78.7#25 C	ANTHONY MANTHA Rating: 76.0#32 RW
TYLER BERTUZZI Rating: 74.4#43 LW	ANDREAS ATHANASIOU Rating: 77.8#30 C	LUKE GLENDENING Rating: 70.0#117 RW
MARTIN FRK Rating: 69.6#121 LW	CHRISTOFFER EHN Rating: 69.5#171 C	TARO HIROSE
MATT PUEMPEL Rating: 71.9#87 LW	RYAN KUFFNER	JAKE CHELIOS Rating: 73.2#56 RW

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS
DAN DEKEYSER Rating: 71.5#95 LD	FILIP HRONEK Rating: 71.8#68 RD
NIKLAS KRONWALL Rating: 71.5#94 LD	MADISON BOWEY Rating: 69.1#99 RD
DYLAN MCILRATH Rating: 73.0#63 LD	LUKE WITKOWSKI Rating: 67.4#103 RD

I’m really not quite sure what to make of this roster, but they’re winning so I’m not going to argue anything. I’m writing this prior to today’s morning skate, so that’s why DFOs lines are a little wonky. If Frans Nielsen is still injured, Jake Chelios will come out of this lineup.

Other big stories: Andreas Athanasiou scored his 30th goal of the season against their game against the Devils. They Red Wings now have two 30 goal scorers, a luxury that has been absent from their roster since 2009. Also, Taro Hirose’s point streak came to an end. His five points in five games were an impressive start to his NHL career.

The Red Wings are now on a five game winning streak. Some hate it because of their lottery chances, but it’s hard to argue with the development of some of the young players who are landing the 2018-19 plane on a winning note. A win is a win and it’s fun to watch. I’m hoping for more.

THE BRUINS

LW	C	RW
BRAD MARCHAND Rating: 87.6#1 LW	PATRICE BERGERON Rating: 88.5#2 C	DAVID PASTRNAK Rating: 87.2#2 RW
JAKE DEBRUSK Rating: 77.4#23 LW	DAVID KREJCI Rating: 77.7#32 C	KARSON KUHLMAN
DANTON HEINEN Rating: 74.2#44 LW	CHARLIE COYLE Rating: 72.1#100 C	CHRIS WAGNER Rating: 70.0#119 RW
JOAKIM NORDSTROM Rating: 69.9#127 LW	NOEL ACCIARI Rating: 71.2#130 C	DAVID BACKES Rating: 72.9#61 RW

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS
ZDENO CHARA Rating: 77.0#15 LD	CHARLIE MCAVOY Rating: 78.8#14 RD
BRANDON CARLO Rating: 73.9#37 LD	CONNOR CLIFTON Rating: 73.2#47 RD
STEVE KAMPFER Rating: 71.1#101 LD	JOHN MOORE Rating: 72.6#73 RD

This Bruins team is very deep. They are built for a long playoff run, but they’ll have tough teams in Toronto and Tampa Bay to get through.

Brad Marchand leads the team with 97 points and he’s followed by Bergeron and Pastrnak who each have 77. All three players have more than 30 goals.

On defense, Torey Krug has added 51 points and Charlie McAvoy has battled through injury all year. When he’s healthy though, he looks good.

BETWEEN THE PIPES

Tuukka Rask vs. Jimmy Howard

Expect Rask to get the go tonight as Boston’s starter. He’s 26-12-5 through 44 games and has posted a .914 save percentage. He’s always been streaky though. You never know what Rask you’re going to get.

I’d anticipate Howard getting the start for the Wings tonight. Bernier was playing fantastic against New Jersey, but left the game in the third period with an upper body injury. Howard came in to relieve him and played just as well. Both goalies are on top of their games right now.