BOSTON BRUINS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S GAME
- The Bruins visit the Golden Knights tonight in the 2nd and final game between these teams this season and Boston’s lone visit to T-Mobile Arena.
- They are 21-4-1 overall this season and are 7-4-0 on the road … They are 10-1-1 vs. Western Conference opponents.
- The Bruins conclude their 3-game road trip tonight in Vegas (1-1-0 … They next face a 5-game home stand, hosting NY Islanders on 12/13, Los Angeles on 12/15, Columbus on 12/17, Florida on 12/19, and Winnipeg on 12/22.
RECENT GAMES:
- The Bruins had their 5-game point streak stopped at 4-0-1 with a 4-3 loss at Arizona on 12/11 following wins vs Carolina (3-2 OT on 11/25),
Tampa Bay (3-1 on 11/29) and Colorado (5-1 on 12/3), a 4-3 shootout loss on 12/5 vs. Vegas and 4-0 win in Colorado on 12/7 … They are 11-2-1 in their last 14 games. - They had their 14-game home win streak, the longest from the start of a season in league history, stopped on 12/5 in a 4-3 shootout loss to Vegas … It was their longest home win streak overall since a 14-0-0 stretch in 2008-09.
- Boston 3 vs Vegas 4/SO … The Bruins came back from an 0-3 deficit to even the game on goals by Brad Marchand (+ assist), David Pastrnak and Taylor Hall … Jeremy Swayman took the point in the shootout loss (1/5) … SOG: Bos 43, Vgs 24 … PP: 1/4 … PK: 0/3
- Boston 4 at Colorado 0 … Taylor Hall had 2-1=3 totals, Trent Frederic had 1-1=2 totals, and Charlie Coyle added 2A … David Pastrnak had opened the scoring with his 18th of the season in just the 25th game … SOG: Bos 37, Col 23 … PP: 0/3 … PK: 1/4
- Boston 3 at Arizona 4 … The Bruins had goals from David Pastrnak, Charlie Coyle and Nick Foligno but lost on a last-minute Coyotes score … Jeremy Swayman had the loss in goal … SOG: Bos 46, Ari 16 … PP: 2/6 … PK: 0/4
INJURIES (Total man-games lost in 2022-23: 33)
- None
BOSTON vs VEGAS, LIFETIME SERIES
- The Bruins and Golden Knights are meeting for the tenth time in their histories with the Bruins having a 6-2-1 record and 26-22 scoring advantage in those games.
- The Bruins are 3-1-0 lifetime in Vegas with a 13-10 scoring edge in those four contests.
NUMBERS
1 / 2: Boston’s rank in win percentage (.827) and fewest goals against per game (2.15) … They ranks 2nd overall in goals for per game (3.92).
1 / 5: Boston’s special teams ranking in the penalty-kill at 85.9% (14/95) and power play at 28.7% (29/101).
2: Season series completed – ARI (1-1-0, snapping a 19-gm win streak which was the longest by an opponent in club history), COL (2-0-0).
2: Player on the current roster new to the Bruins organization this season – A.J. Greer (free agent) and Pavel Zacha (trade).
4: Game-winning goals by Taylor Hall (tied for 3rd in the NHL), including three straight deciding goals from 10/20-25/2022 – deciding shootout goal vs. Anaheim on 10/20, OT goal vs. Minnesota on 10/22 and GWG vs. Dallas on 10/25.
4: Defenseman points in a game this season by Hampus Lindholm (1-3=4 vs PIT on 11/1) and Charlie McAvoy (4A vs CHI on 11/19).
4: Points by David Pastrnak (1-3=4 totals) on 10/12/2022 in Washington in the 2022-23 season opener … That is the most points in a Boston opener since Brad Marchand (2-3=5) and Pastrnak (2-2=4) in 10/13/2016.
8: Straight wins by Linus Ullmark from 10/12-11/3/2022 … It was a new career-best win streak and it also tied the longest win streak by a Boston goaltender from the start of a season (Tim Thomas, also 8-0-0 in 2010-11).
9: Game point streak by David Pastrnak from 11/7-25 with 6-7=13 totals in that span … That was his longest such stretch since a career-best 13-game stretch in 2019-20.
9: Players on the Bruins current roster who played college hockey – Connor Clifton, Charlie Coyle, Derek Forbort, Trent Frederic, AJ Greer, Matt Grzelcyk, Charlie McAvoy, Craig Smith and Jeremy Swayman.
10: Former first round draft picks on the current roster – Charlie Coyle, Jake DeBrusk, Derek Forbert, Trent Frederic, Taylor Hall, Hampus Lindholm, Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, Pavel Zacha and Jakub Zboril
14: Straight home wins to open this season, which is the longest such streak in NHL history … That also tied as Boston’s longest home win streak overall since a 14-game stretch in 2008-09.
43: Points by the Bruins after 26 games this season at 21-4-1 … That is the 2nd-best mark after 26 games in team history, besting only the 22-4-0 mark in 1929-30.
+46: Boston’s league-leading goal differential, including an NHL-best 3rd period goal differential at 40-15 and +25.
391-25-20: Boston’s record since 2011-12 in games in which they have had a 2-goal lead in a game … That extends to 256-2-6 over that span when they have led by 3 goals
552: Consecutive Bruins games (regular season & playoffs) currently sold out at TD Garden … Their last non-sellout game was on 12/2/2009 when a Wednesday game vs. TB drew 16,553
FUN FACTS
- The Bruins currently have 22 players on their roster … 10 were drafted by the team, 4 were acquired in trade and 8 were signed as free agents.
- The Bruins play 16 matinees this season (local start time 4:00 pm or earlier) … They have a 2-0-0 record in afternoon games so far.
- The Bruins play 14 sets of back-to-back games this season … They are currently 3-0-0 in the 1st game of those sets and are 2-1-0 in the 2nd games so far.
- The Bruins are playing game 5 of a 14-game December schedule tonight (8 hm/6 rd, 2-1-1) … They will play 14 games in January (5 hm/9 rd), 10 in February (3 hm/7 rd), 15 in March (9 hm/6 rd) and 7 in April (3 hm/4 rd) … They went 8-1-0 in October and 11-2-0 in December.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
Nov. 2: Keith Kinkaid recalled from Providence/AHL.
Nov. 7: Jakub Lauko returned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 9: Mike Reilly placed on waivers for assignment to Providence/AHL (assigned Nov. 10).
Nov. 16: Keith Kinkaid returned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 28: Anton Stralman placed on waivers (cleared 11/29).
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:
GOLDEN KNIGHTS UPCOMING GAMES
Golden Knights 2022-23 Record: 20-8-1, 41 points (8-6-0 at Home, 12-2-1 on Road)
DATE OPPONENT TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH RADIO
Dec. 11 vs. Boston Bruins AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
Dec. 13 at Winnipeg Jets AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Dec. 15 at Chicago Blackhawks AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Dec. 17 vs. New York Islanders AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
Dec. 19 vs. Buffalo Sabres AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
GOLDEN KNIGHTS LAST GAME RECAP
December 9 – Vegas Golden Knights 2, Philadelphia Flyers 1 OT
The Vegas Golden Knights (20-8-1) hit the 20-win mark as they picked up a 2-1 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers (9-13-6) on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena. William Carrier netted the game’s first goal as the Golden Knights carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. In the second, Scott Laughton snuck a shot through to tie the game at 1-1. After a scoreless third, Jonathan Marchessault picked off a pass and burst in on goal to bury the game-winning goal in overtime for a 2-1 final.
LAST GAME BY THE NUMBERS
- Marchessault has goals in four straight games for the first time in his career
- Carrier matches his career high of goals in a single season (9)
- Adin Hill stopped 27 of 28 shots, good for a .964 save percentage, logging his second consective win
- Vegas improves to 20-8-1 and 8-6-0 at home
Four for Marchessault
Jonathan Marchessault has tallied a goal in four consecutive games for the Golden Knights. This is the first time of his career that Marchessault has had a four-game goal streak. Marchessault’s goal was his 25th game-winning goal as a Golden Knight, the most of any Vegas player in the history of the franchise. The forward is now tied as the second highest goal scorer with Stone and Smith with 12 goals this season, just one short of Eichel’s team leading 13.
Carrier-ing the 4th
William Carrier has scored nine goals in 29 games for Vegas, matching his career high of goals scored in a season. The forward had his first multi-goal game of his career on November 21 in Vancouver and followed it up with another goal on November 23.
Cotter the Kid
Paul Cotter has recorded 19 hits in four games, leading all Golden Knights in that time. Cotter recorded a career high of six hits in a victory over the Boston Bruins on Dec. 5, when he also scored two goals. Cotter then matched his best on Wednesday, logging another six hits against the New York Rangers.
Solo Efforts
In Vegas’ game against Philadelphia, all goals in the contest were unassisted. This is the first time in franchise history that all goals in a
Golden Knights game were solo efforts, not counting 1-0 shootout wins.
First Things First
Carrier’s goal in the first period against Philadelphia marked the 19th time Vegas has scored first in a game and for the third time in four games. The Golden Knights have scored 10 times in the first five minutes of the first period through 29 games, most recently when Cotter netted the puck 1:36 into the first period against Boston on Dec. 5. The Golden Knights are outscoring opponents 34-15 in the opening frame and lead the NHL in first-period goals. Vegas is 16-3-0 when it scores first and 11-3-0 when leading after the first period.
Hey Shea!
Shea Theodore has recorded 10 points in Vegas’ last 11 games (1-9—10) and ranks eighth amongst defensemen in the league in points this season (22). Theodore has five multi-point games, second to Alex Pietrangelo (six) for the most multi-point games by a Golden Knights defenseman this season.
Easy Steph-y
Chandler Stephenson has 22 points in Vegas’ 29 games, as well as three game-winning goals. Stephenson’s 63.5 faceoff win percentage ranks second in the NHL among all qualified skaters. Stephenson has recorded a point in five straight games twice this season including seven assists during his most recent point streak.
Rookie of the Month
Logan Thompson has been strong in net for the Golden Knights and was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for the month of November after going 8-2-0 with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in 10 starts. In his last three starts, Thompson has faced 127 shots, making 115 saves, good for a .905 save percentage. On Vegas’ most recent road trip, Thompson defended the Golden Knights in two shootouts, allowing only one shootout goal and making 40+ saves in back-to-back starts. Thompson has stopped 86.2% of shootout attempts faced in his career (25-of-29); only Boston’s Linus Ullmark has a better shootout save percentage among active NHL goaltenders who have faced at least 20 attempts in their career. Thompson is second in the league in wins (13) behind Ullmark (15).
Jack of all Trades
Despite having missed two games for the Golden Knights, Jack Eichel continues to lead Vegas in points 13-16—29. Eichel has points in 14 of the last 19 games for Vegas (10-12—22), including seven multiple-point efforts. His +17 rating is third among all NHL forwards (sixth overall).
Martinez Block Party
Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez leads the NHL with 115 blocked shots in 29 games and is the first player in the league to reach the century mark this season. Martinez has led the team in blocked shots in 20 of 29 games.
O from the D
Vegas defensemen have accounted for an NHL-leading 58 assists and 67 points, which trail only San Jose’s blueliners. Shea Theodore (T-8th, 22 points) and Alex Pietrangelo (T-9th, 21 points) are among the top 10 defensemen in scoring league-wide, making Vegas the only team with two defensemen in the top 17.
The Shorty King
Reilly Smith netted his third shorthanded goal of the season against St. Louis on November 12. Smith leads the league with three shorties and Vegas is tied for first as the team with four shorthanded goals. His 11 shorthanded goals since joining Vegas in 2017-18 are the most in franchise history.
Spreading the Wealth
Six Golden Knights have recorded 20 or more points this season, the most of any team in the league. Jack Eichel leads the club with 29 points, followed by, Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore with 22 points each.
Golden Knights Point Leaders
- Jack Eichel – 29 (13G, 16A)
- Jonathan Marchessault – 22 (12G, 10A)
Chandler Stephenson – 22 (6G, 16A)
Shea Theodore – 22 (4G, 18A) - Mark Stone – 21 (9G, 12A)
Alex Pietrangelo – 21 (3G, 18A) - Reilly Smith – 18 (12G, 6A)
William Karlsson – 18 (6G, 12A) - Nicolas Roy – 13 (5G, 8A)
Hot Streaks
Jonathan Marchessault – 4 game goal streak (4-0—4)
Against the Bruins
Vegas’ contest with Boston on Sunday is the second of two meetings this season. The Golden Knights own a 2-5-1 record against the Bruins, and split their series in 2021-22. In their last meeting, Vegas won 4-3 in a shootout win against the Boston on Monday night at TD Garden. Vegas used goals from Paul Cotter and Jonathan Marchessault to take a 2-0 lead just 5:04 into the contest. Cotter opened the middle period with his second goal of the game just 51 seconds after the drop of the puck. Boston battled back as Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak gave the Bruins life heading into the third. Taylor Hall scored a power-play goal to tie the game at 3-3 and the teams went beyond regulation to find a winner. After a scoreless overtime, the teams went empty through four rounds of the shootout. Logan Thompson shut down Charlie Coyle in the fifth round to set up Reilly Smith’s winning goal to give Vegas the 4-3 triumph. Mark Stone owns 20 points (8-12—20) in 21 meetings against the Bruins in his career.
2022-23 Season BOS Series: 1-0-0 (Home: 0-0-0, Road: 1-0-0)
Dec. 5 – at Boston (Vegas 4, Boston 3 SO)
Dec. 11 – at Vegas
2021-22 Season BOS Series: 1-1-0 (Home: 1-0-0, Road: 0-1-0)
Dec. 14 – at Boston (Vegas 4, Boston 1)
Mar. 3 – at Vegas (Vegas 2, Boston 5)
