The Boston Bruins are riding a four-game winning streak as they travel to the Capital One Arena where they will come face-to-face with their former Captain Zdeno Chara. For the first time in over a decade, Boston fans will see the six-foot-nine defenseman in a red/white/blue uniform. No doubt some of the Bruins players and Chara are personally reflecting about tonight’s match-up.

“I value every teammate I had over the course of 14 years in Boston…the guys who have been there the whole time, we’ve created a close bond. I have been very lucky and blessed for my relationship.”

Former Bruisn Captain Zdeno Chara

Bruins froward Brad Marchand was recently asked if there would be any chirping against Chara and smartly answered “I’m not poking the bear.” Both David Pastrnak and Brandon Carlo recently reflected on the impact Chara has had on their careers.

“We talked the same language. He helped me a lot. He gave me a lot of his time. I can’t thank him enough. He taught me how to be a pro…a true professional.”

Bruins Forward David Pastrnak

“When I had the pleasure of playing with him my whole first year, I recognized that communication was the biggest component to having a successful pairing. We were out there on the penalty kill together, we were always yelling back and forth and it helps with recognizing where players are when there are out on the ice…He led by example. You’d see him in the gym more than anybody else. He was always in there taking care of his body to able to sustain and play as long as he has…That was something big that I learned from him off the ice-taking care of yourself physically.”

Bruins Defenseman Brandon Carlo

Boston Game Notes

Tonight’s game will be just that-a game between the division’s top two teams. The Capitals are welcoming a Bruins team who is currently 5-1-1 while the home team is 5-0-3. Marchand leads the team with 10 points and six assists. With the absence of some key players, the team have pulled their weight as unexpected faces have notched up points.

Nick Ritchie has racked up six points and three goals in the last seven game played. Charlie McAvoy, who has assumed filing the hole left by Chara has notched five assists in the last seven games played. Forward David Pastrnak is expected to return to the lineup tonight after rehabbing from off-season hip surgery. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy plans to insert Pastrnak back up front with the top unit of Marchand/Bergeron. Pending how Pasta feels after this morning skate, expect number 88 back. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk isn’t expected for tonight.

PROJECTED LINE-UP FOR THE BOSTON BRUINS:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak

Ritchie-Krejci-Kuhlman (DeBrusk is day-to-day)

Frederic-Coyle-Smith

Bjork-Kuraly-Wagner

Lauzon-McAvoy

Clifton-Carlo

Zboril-Miller

Rask

Halak

The Other Guys

The Caps are finishing their last games of a six-game homestead as they welcome the Boston Bruins. But the story of the night is Chara facing his former teammates. Capitals Head Coach Peter Laviolette has positive words on Big Z:

“He has come in and provided some good minutes, quality minutes, good leadership. He is a solid citizen and a real good hockey player, so he has lived up to his bill.”

Washington is coming off a 6-3 comeback win against the New York Islanders where Chara scored his first goal as a Cap. The team is without many key players and have managed to stay strong on the ice. Due to COVID protocol and injuries, you wont see Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov in tonight’s game.

PROJECTED LINEUP-THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS:

Vrana-Backstrom-Wilson

Sheary-Oshie-Panik

Hagelin-Dowd-Hathaway

Carr-Sgarbossa-Sprong

Dillon-Carlson

Chara-Schultz (listed day-to-day)

Siegenthaler-van Riemsdyk

Vanecek

Anderson

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH: Tonight with puck drop after 7:00 PM. ESPEN+, NBCSWA, NESN

Featured Image: The Toronto Star

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