Need to Know: Bruins vs. devils
BOSTON –– It is the regular-season finale for the Boston Bruins on Tuesday at TD Garden.
The B’s will host the New Jersey Devils for a 7 pm puck drop of their final recreation earlier than the playoffs. Boston, which earned a postseason berth on Saturday, can clinch the primary wild-card spot within the Eastern Conference with a win on Tuesday.
“We want to win this game. I think that’s pretty clear for us,” head coach Marco Sturm stated. “I do believe you need a little bit of momentum going in to feel good. Especially where we’re at as an organization, as a team. We still have a lot of young kids, we still have guys who have never played a playoff game before, so I think that’s going to be important.”
James Hagens is ready to make his TD Garden debut. The 19-year-old ahead skated in his first NHL recreation on Sunday; he had an help within the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hagens is anticipated to be on the third line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov.
“Nothing changes, that’s what I told him. Nothing changes if you’re on the road or you’re at home. You want to play the same way and have the same attitude,” Sturm stated of Hagens. “Just focus on your game and try to limit mistakes as much as you can. And enjoy it. I think he did a really good job in Columbus, so hopefully he can do it again tonight.”
Charlie McAvoy, Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson and Hampus Lindholm sat out on Sunday to relaxation. Sturm stated he thinks a few guys shall be “question marks,” however he’s going to “try to play the full lineup” towards the Devils.
Mark Kastelic had two factors (one purpose, one help) on Sunday in Columbus. The 27-year-old ahead hit the 10-goal mark for the primary time in his profession, and shall be skating within the NHL playoffs for the primary time, too.
“I’m just very excited,” Kastelic stated. “It was nice to just reset and start the year fresh. I think just the energy and the room this year has been unbelievable. Just made it a blast to come to work every day. I speak for everybody – I just feel like we’re a really tight group this year, and it’s just been a lot of fun playing for each other.”
