BOSTON -- Summoning the Bill Belichick deep inside him, Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien told reporters after Friday’s practice, “We’re on to the Rangers.”
After a disappointing 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks Thursday, Boston will host the New York Rangers in a Saturday matinee at TD Garden. Simply put, this game will determine the Bruins' season.
I know, I know. We’ve talked about benchmark games all season. But since the Bruins are fighting for their postseason lives, and in some cases their jobs, a win over the Eastern Conference’s best team would help Boston regain its confidence as it attempts to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
“It’s a big game. They’re all big. They’re playing well. We just need to regroup and get ready for them,” said Bruins assistant captain Chris Kelly.
With their convincing 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Thursday, the Rangers clinched their fifth consecutive playoff berth, and have reached the playoffs in nine of the past 10 seasons. New York (47-19-7, 101 points) also reached the 100-point plateau for the eighth time in team history.
The Rangers arrive in Boston with victories in six consecutive road games and an 11-1-1 record in their past 13 games on opponents’ home ice. Overall, New York is 24-10-2 on the road this season and lead the league with 50 road points.
Goaltending has been key for the Rangers this season. Henrik Lundqvist (25-11-3) could return to the lineup Saturday. He’s been sidelined since Feb. 2 due to a serious vascular injury. In his absence, fellow netminder Cam Talbot has been outstanding, posting a 16-4-3 record in his past 23 games. Overall, he’s 20-8-4 on the season.
If Lundqvist returns against the Bruins, he owns a 21-10-2 record -- with a 1.85 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage -- in 33 career games versus Boston. He’s 9-5-2, with a 1.52 GAA, a .951 SP and three shutouts, in 16 career regular-season games at TD Garden. He’s also allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of those 16 games.
Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask has a 7-4-3, a 1.99 GAA and a .934 SP in 14 career regular-season games against the Rangers.
The Bruins and Senators are tied with 85 points, but Ottawa still has a game in hand. The Florida Panthers remain in the hunt, trailing by only three points. The Senators have the easier matchup Saturday when they play the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kelly admitted after Thursday’s loss that he and his teammates were watching the out-of-town scores on the video board. Failing to earn a crucial two points Thursday makes Saturday’s game against the Rangers even more important.
“We’re not asking anybody else to do our dirty work right now,” said Julien. “It’s up to us to play and win our games.”
Not only does this game have direct playoff implications, it also could serve as a first-round appetizer. The players will tell you they’re not thinking about the playoffs, that they’re only taking it one game at a time, but Saturday’s game being a possible playoff preview means each team may want to set the tone.
The Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Finals last season and have a good enough team to accomplish that goal again. The Bruins have struggled this season, but if they can earn a postseason berth they have enough ability to be dangerous.
Saturday's game will be the third and final regular-season contest between the teams. Boston defeated New York 3-0 on Jan. 15 at TD Garden, while New York posted a 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 4.
If the Bruins beat the Rangers, it could be a good indication of what to expect from Boston for the remaining seven games of the season. If the Rangers win, then the Bruins could be heading to the offseason, even before it officially begins.