NJ (3-0-1) vs Bruins (4-0-1) - Battle of the unbeaten's

[Danman1116]

vs

http://bruins.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2012020078

If recent history is any indication, the Bruins' streak is more likely to continue.

Boston seeks a ninth win in 10 meetings against New Jersey when the teams meet Tuesday night at TD Garden.

The Bruins (4-0-1) and Devils (3-0-1) are both off to strong starts to the lockout-shortened season, and Boston kept that going with Monday's 5-3 win at Carolina. David Krejci scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:50 left and Zdeno Chara had a goal and two assists for the Bruins, who held Carolina scoreless on six power-play opportunities.

Boston is the league's only team yet to allow a goal while short-handed, killing off all 23 chances.

"We're ready to go. We know it's a short season (and) it's really important to get points early in the season," Krejci said. "We're trying to get as (many) points as we can. We've got nine out of (a possible) 10. That's pretty good, but we've got to keep going."

Krejci has points in three straight games and could be in line to extend that streak with the Devils up next. He has four goals and two assists in the past three meetings with New Jersey. Included in that span is one of his two career hat tricks, the last of those goals coming in overtime of a 4-3 home win in the most recent matchup on March 1.

The Bruins have won four in a row and eight of the past nine games with New Jersey. They've also put together a four-game home winning streak during that stretch, beating Martin Brodeur three times with the Devils' netminder posting a 3.29 goals-against average.

The venue, though, hasn't mattered much since Brodeur is 0-5-2 with a 3.38 GAA over his last seven meetings with Boston.

Brodeur's counterpart likely will be Tuukka Rask after backup Anton Khudobin made his first start of the season Monday. Rask has a 1.29 GAA and a shutout in three starts against the Devils.

While the Bruins have managed a point in their first five games for the first time since 1990-91, Brodeur has been instrumental during a similar start for the Devils.

The future Hall of Famer has started every game this season, compiling a 1.69 GAA with one shutout. However, he and the Devils tasted defeat for the first time this season, falling 4-3 at Montreal in overtime on Sunday.

"Considering we didn't play 60 minutes ... we'll take the point," coach Peter DeBoer said. "And, thank Marty Brodeur."

Patrik Elias has five of his six points this season in the past two games, notching a goal and two assists against the Canadiens. That gave him 900 career points, extending his lead on the franchise's all-time list.

Elias has been limited to two goals and two assists in his past 13 meetings with the Bruins, but scored at Boston on March 1 to end a five-game point drought there.

Stefan Matteau has no points through his first four games with New Jersey. The 29th overall selection in last year's draft can only play one more game before the Devils have to decide if they'll send him back to juniors or use the first year of his entry-level contract.

NJ Bos
4 GP 5
3 W 4
0 L 0
1 OT 1
7 P 9
0.875 P% 0.900
2.75 G/G 3.20
1.75 GA/G 2.20
15.8 PP% 14.3
87.0 PK% 100.0
28.5 S/G 31.0
25.8 SA/G 27.8
52.2 FO% 60.5


Date Vis/Home Final
Mar 1, 2012 NJD@BOS BOS, 4 - 3
Jan 19, 2012 BOS@NJD BOS, 4 - 1
Jan 4, 2012 BOS@NJD BOS, 6 - 1

Nov 15, 2011 NJD@BOS BOS, 4 - 3


Stats

Goals

Bruins

Brad Marchand with 3

Devils

David Clarkson with 3

Assists

Bruins

David Krejci and Dougie Hamilton with 4

Devils

Patrik Elias with 4

Points

Bruins

David Krejci and Zdeno Chara with 5

Devils

David Clarkson and Patrik Elias with 6

Goalies

Bruins

Tuukka Rask 3-0-1 .925% 1.96GAA

Devils

Martin Brodeur 3-0-1 .932% 1.69

[Shaiza]

Let's get another one boys!!!

[dynasty7961]

TUUKKA TIME! Lets go Bruins!

[jakub]

Btw, Johan Hedberg is starting for us tonight. Good Luck!

[OneManIsNoMan]

Btw, Johan Hedberg is starting for us tonight. Good Luck!

Historically hasn't played well vs. Boston

Career Line vs. Boston
4-9-1 / 3.01 GAA / .902 SV%

[jakub]

Should be better then Marty's numbers against you guys.

[OneManIsNoMan]

Should be better then Marty's numbers against you guys.

Marty's numbers look something like this

Career Line vs. Boston
24-20-8 / 2.55GAA / .909 SV%

[jakub]

Was talking about the last 2 years

[OneManIsNoMan]

Was talking about the last 2 years

In the last two year, ya Boston has torched Marty

[Seguin]

Ill be watching extra closely

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

Just want a point at least tonight, but I'll take the W also.

[OneManIsNoMan]

I haven't seen any confirmation on whose starting tonight, I'd assume it's Rask but anyone know?

[jakub]

Unfortunately, yes.

[bruins>habs]

Should be a good b's, feeling Dougie's first goal...idk why

And B'sCeltsPatsSox when were you elected PSD's Dougie ???

[Danman1116]

Thornton destroyed Barch a cpl years back right?