BOSTON BRUINS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S GAME
- The Bruins visit the Devils tonight in the 2nd of 3 games between these teams this season and the second of two Boston visits to the Prudential Center.
- They are 27-4-3 overall this season and are 9-4-1 on the road … They are 15-3-1 vs. Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bruins are playing their 5th of 14 sets of back-to-back games last night in Ottawa (3-2 SO loss) and tonight in New Jersey
… They are currently 4-0-1 in the 1st game of those sets and are 3-1-0 in the 2nd games so far.
- The Bruins will next return to Boston to host Buffalo on 12/31 in closing out 2022 and will open 2023 hosting Pittsburgh on 1/2 in the Winter Classic at Fenway Park.
RECENT GAMES:
- The Bruins are 6-0-2 in their last 8 games with wins vs Vegas (3-1 on 12/11), vs NY Islanders (4-3/SO on 12/13), vs Columbus
(4-2 on 12/17), 7 vs Florida (7-3 on 12/19), vs Winnipeg (3-2 on 12/22) and in New Jersey (4-3 on 12/23) and 3-2 shootout
setbacks each to Los Angeles on 12/15 and Ottawa on 12/27. - They are 10-1-3 in their last 14 games and are 17-2-3 in their last 22 games.
- They are 18-0-2 in their 20 home games, including a 14-game home win streak, the longest from the start of a season in
league history … That is the 2nd longest point streak from a season’s start in Boston annals to 1973-74’s 21-game stretch at 19-
0-2 … This is their fifth longest home point streak overall in team history (4x) with their club mark a 26-0-1 stretch in 1970-71. - Boston 3 vs Winnipeg 2 … The Bruins went down 0-2 after the 1st period before tying the score on goals by David Pastrnak (1-
1=2 totals) and Jake DeBrusk (his 200th NHL point) … Nick Foligno had 1-1=2 totals with the GWG in the 3rd period … Jeremy
Swayman took his 2nd straight win in net … SOG: Bos 39, Wpg 27 … PP: 1/4 … PK: 0/2 - Boston 4 at New Jersey 3 … The Bruins scored 4 straight 2nd period goals en route to the 4-3 victory with goals by Patrice
Bergeron, David Pastrnak (2) and Jake DeBrusk (GWG+A) and 2A from David Krejci … Linus Ullmark extended his pt streak to
11-0-1 … SOG: Bos 23, NJ 40 … PP: 0/1 … PK: 1/2 - Boston 2 at Ottawa 3/SO … Jake DeBrusk and Pavel Zacha scored but Ottawa prevailed in the shootout … Jeremy Swayman earned a point in net … SOG: Bos 51, Ott 33 … PP: 0/3 … PK: 1/2
INJURIES (Total man-games lost in 2022-23: 36)
- None
BOSTON vs NEW JERSEY, LIFETIME SERIES
- The Bruins and Devils are meeting for the 174th time in their histories with the Bruins having a 96-45-19-13 record and 573-447 scoring advantage in those games.
- The Bruins are 45-22-11-7 lifetime in New Jersey with a 265-207 scoring edge in those 85 contests.
NUMBERS
1 / 2: Boston’s rank in win percentage (.838) and fewest goals against per game (2.18) while 2nd in goals for per game (3.82).
2 / 3: Boston’s special teams ranking in the penalty-kill at 84.1% (20/126) and power play at 28.6% (36/126).
2: Player on the current roster new to the Bruins organization this season – A.J. Greer (free agent) and Pavel Zacha (trade).
3: 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), VGS (1-0-1).
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.
5: 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.
7: Straight 20-goal seasons by David Pastrnak, including his 3rd-fastest 20 in his 30th game (22 gms in 2019-20 and 28 gms in 2018-19).
9: New career-best win streak by Linus Ullmark from 11/7-12/13/2022 … That bested his 8-game stretch from 10/12-11/3/2022 which was his previous mark 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: 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
11: Game point streak by David Pastrnak with 10-5=15 totals from 12/3-23, which is his 6th career stretch of at least 10 gms … Pastrnak had a 9-game streak from 11/7-25 with 6-7=13 totals in that span earlier this season.
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.
20: Current home point streak at 18-0-2 … That is the 2nd-longest from the start of a season in club history and is tied for the 5th-longest home point streak overall in team history with their club mark a 26-0-1 stretch in 1970-71.
27: Shots on goal in the 2nd period on 12/27 at Ottawa … That is their most shots in a period since they had 29 1st period shots vs Washington on 2/8/2000.
57: Points by the Bruins after 34 games this season at 27-4-3 … That is the 2nd-best mark after 34 games in team history (29-4-1).
+55: Boston’s league-leading goal differential (Toronto is 2nd at +30), including an NHL-best 3rd period goal differential at 48-21 and +27.
102: Points by David Pastrnak in this 2022 calendar year … That ranks 7th in club history (Ray Bourque is next with 103 points).
396-25-21: Boston’s record since 2011-12 in games in which they have had a 2-goal lead in a game … That extends to 259-2-6 over that span when they have led by 3 goals
557: 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 3-0-0 record in afternoon games so far.
- The Bruins play 14 sets of back-to-back games this season … They are currently 4-0-1 in the 1st game of those sets and are 3-1-0 in the 2nd games so far.
- The Bruins are playing game 13 of a 14-game December schedule tonight (8 hm/6 rd, 8-1-3) … 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:
Dec. 20: Craig Smith assigned to Providence/AHL (cleared waivers 12/19).
Dec. 21: Craig Smith recalled from Providence/AHL.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS NOTES:
LAST GAME
Boston Bruins 4 New Jersey Devils 3
(26-4-2—54 PTS) (22-9-2—46 PTS)
Three Stars: 1. D. Pastrnak 2. T. Tatar 3. J. DeBrusk
Goals:
BOS: P. Bergeron, D. Pastrnak, D. Pastrnak, Jake Debrusk
SCORE 1
ST 2
ND 3
RD OT SO FINAL
Boston 0 4 0 – – 4
DEVILS 1 0 3 – – 3
NJD: J. Hughes (PPG), T. Tatar, Y. Sharangovich
INJURIES/ILLNESS
PLAYER INJURY OUT SINCE GAMES MISSED
Jonathan Bernier – LTIR Lower-body, hip 2021-22 33
Ondrej Palat I.R. Lower-body Retro-active to Oct. 24 27
Nate Bastian Upper-Body Nov. 27 11
John Marino Upper-body Dec. 21 2
Ryan Graves Lower-body Dec. 22 1
2022-23 Total Man-Games Lost to Injury/illness: 99
TRANSACTIONS
DATE PLAYER ACTION
12/1 Nico Daws Reassigned to Utica
12/2 Andreas Johnsson Recalled from Utica
12/13 Mackenzie Blackwood Assigned to Utica (conditioning loan)
12/19 Akira Schmid Reassigned to Utica
Mackenzie Blackwood Recalled from conditioning loan, Utica
12/22 Nate Bastian Placed I.R. retro to Nov. 26
Nikita Okhotiuk Recalled from Utica
WHAT TO KNOW
The Devils host Boston for consecutive contests, while the two Eastern Conference foes met on Fri., Dec. 23. Yet, Boston defeated the Devils by a score of 4-3 at the Rock. Jersey’s team allowed four goals in the second period of play, which marked and tied a season low for goals allowed in period:
Oct. 15 vs DET, 2nd, per., 5-2, L
Oct. 24vs WSH, 2nd, per., 6-3, L
The Devils are 0-5-0 vs Boston dating to last season. The last time that the Devils defeated Boston was on May 4, 2021, at the Rock in a 4-3 win. After the last meeting with Boston, Jersey’s team is now 2-9-0 when trailing after two period of play this season, and fell to 14-6-1 when scoring first in a game this season. Yet, the team is 17-0-1 when leading after the second period this season. Only Boston entails more wins (18-0-1) when leading after the second period for 2022-23. The Devils fell to 15-9-2 when outshooting an opponent this season. Jersey outshot Boston 40-23 on Dec. 23. Jersey’s team is 6-1-0 when outshot by an opponent this season. The last meeting with Boston, marked the second time this season that the B’s allowed 40 (or more shots) in a game for 2022-23, last: Oct. 17, vs FLA, 41 shots, in a 5-3 win for Boston. Boston’s 23 shots on goal via Dec. 23, marked the team’s second-fewest in a game this season (Nov. 5, at TOR, 2-1, L). Side note…three former Devils in A.J. Greer, Pavel Zacha and Taylor Hall started the game for Boston via. After the loss on Dec. 23, Jersey’s team is 20-3-2 when scoring three-or-more goals in a game this season. At Dec. 25 last season, the Devils earned 10 wins compared to the team’s 22 wins this season. The Devils logged 27 blocked shots on Wed., Dec. 21, at Florida, which marked a season-high (prior, 26 blocks on Nov. 26, 2022, vs WSH). The Devils are 12-9-1 vs the Eastern Conference and 7-4-0 vs the Atlantic Division for 2022-23. Side note…the Devils entered the month of December with a share of first place, or sole possession, atop the League standings for the first time in franchise history. Jersey’s team is 18-2-2 when Nico Hischier recorded a point in a game this season and 10-4-1 when Jack Hughes scored a goal in a game for 2022-23.
Former Devil, Pavel Zacha, returns back to the Prudential Center for the second time since the Czech Republic native was traded to Boston in exchange for Erik Haula on July 13, 2022. Haula also face-off vs his former team (Boston) for the second time this season. Zacha is one of three former Devils who were selected in the 1 st round at the NHL Draft and are currently active in the league: Z. Parise, 2003, now NYI & A. Larsson, 2011, now SEA The Devils have allowed 1, or fewer, goals against nine times this season in a game. Jersey’s team allowed one, or fewer goals against, in a game just eight times all of last season. Looking ahead…The Devils are scheduled to play on New Year’s Day for the first time since Jan. 1, 2011, which resulted in a 6-3 loss at Carolina.
Since 1982-83, New Jersey’s games played on New Year’s Day:
Year Vs Result
2011 At CAR 6-3, L
2004 At WSH 2-2, T
2003 Vs FLA 2-1, L
2002 Vs STL 2-1, W
2000 At BOS 2-2, T
1998 At FLA 2-1, OT-L
1994 At OTT 7-1, W
1993 At WSH 9-2, L
1991 At WSH 4-3, L
Record: 2-4-2-1
THE RANKS
STAT NHL RANK
GA/GP, 2.56, 3rd
GF/GP 3.38, 9
TH
SA/GP 26.6, 2ND
SF/GP 35.3, 2nd
Since 1994-95, the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship, the Devils have finished a season averaging under 25 shots against, per game seven times:
23.7 1997-98
24.7 1998-99
24.7 2000-01
23.2 2001-02
23.6 2002-03
24.4 2003-04
23.1 2012-13
The team clinched a playoff berth in six of those seasons, while winning a Stanley Cup championship in 2002-03, plus advancing to the Stanley Cup final in 2000-01. The team didn’t clinch a playoff berth in the shortened (lockout year) in 2012-13. Since 1994-95, the team’s highest shots per game total is 33.1, which was earned in 1999-00. The team then won its second Stanley Cup championship. The Devils are one of 11 teams this season that haven’t been shut out in a game, yet. Head coach Lindy Ruff became the fifth bench boss in NHL history who earned 800 wins. Only four other NHL coaches all-time are in the “800 club.”
S. Bowman: 1,244 wins
Joel Quenneville: 969 wins
Barry Trotz: 914 wins
Ken Hitchcock: 849 wins
The Devils officially announced and revealed their second-ever Adidas Reverse Retro sweater, which turns back the clock and nods to the franchise’s Colorado roots. The team is scheduled to wear the sweaters four times this season and twice on the road:
Dec. 3, at PHI, 7:00 P.M. 3-2, W
Dec. 9, vs NYI, 7:00 P.M. 6-4, L
Dec. 30, at PIT, 7:00 P.M.
Jan. 7, vs NYR, 1:00 P.M.
2022-23 TEAM STATS
RECORD ON DAYS OF THE WEEK
The Devils record on Wednesday in 2022-23…1-1-0…at home: 0-1-0…road: 1-0-0 Record in night games in 2022-23…19-10-2…home: 8-8-1…road: 11-2-1 Record in day games in 2022-23…3-0-0…home: 2-0-0…road: 1-0-0 2022-23 Alternate jersey record…3-1-0
RECORD WHEN SCORING FIRST
Scoring first…14-6-1…Trailing first…8-4-1
The longest duration of a game this season: 2 hours, 42 minutes, 11/23, vs TOR, 7:12 pm – 9:54 pm
Team’s average: H: 6’1” | W: 197lbs | A: 26 years old
GOALS BY PERIOD
PERIOD GOALS FOR/AGAINST DIFFERENTIAL
1 30-25 +5
2 44-38 +6
3 38-22 +16
OT 3-2 +1
TOTAL 115-87 +28
The team’s +28 goal differential ranks 3rd in the NHL behind Boston (+56) and Toronto (+29), per Dec. 27.
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
Overall: 4-3-1
First game: 1-2-1 | home: 0-1-0 | road: 1-1-1
Second game: 3-1-0 | home: 1-1-0 | road: 2-0-0
DATE/TIME OPPONENT RESULT
Oct. 18, 7:00 P.M. vs ANA 4-2, W
Oct 28, 7:00 P.M. vs COL 1-0, W
Dec. 6, 7:00 P.M. vs CHI 3-0, W
Dec. 13, 7:00 P.M. vs DAL 4-1, L
Jan. 1, 3:00 P.M. Vs CAR
Jan. 5, 7:00 P.M. Vs STL
Feb. 6, 7:30 P.M. Vs VAN
Feb. 21, 7:00 P.M. Vs MTL
Mar. 30, 7:00 P.M. Vs NYR
Apr. 11, 7:00 P.M. HOME FINALE Vs BUF
AROUND THE RINK THE RINK
On Wed., Dec. 28, the Devils celebrate Pride Night the Rock. Fans will have the opportunity to get involved and support the cause with various fundraising activities and more.
VS BEANTOWN
The Devils and Boston meet for the second of three matchups this season. The last time the Devils were scheduled in consecutive games vs Boston, and at home, was May 3, 2021, to May 4 (1-1-0). Third matchup: Apr. 8, at BOS, 7:00 P.M. The Devils were 0-3-0 vs Boston last season.
The last time that the Devils won a season series vs Boston was 2020-21 (5-2-1).
ALL-TIME vs THE B’S
Record: 58-86-19-10
Home: 29-41-11-4
Road: 29-46-8-6
DID YOU KNOW…
The most goals in franchise history earned in a single game vs Boston is eight, twice, last earned on Mar. 19, 1994 at Boston. The most goals that the Devils allowed in a single game vs Boston is eight, three times, which last occurred on Mar. 31, 2022, at Boston. The most shots that Jersey earned in a single game vs Boston is 48, which occurred on Oct. 29, 19996 at Boston. The most shots that the Devils allowed in a single game vs Boston is 48, which occurred on Mar. 30, 2021, in a 5-4 shootout loss at Boston. The last time the Devils shut out the Bruins was on Mar. 28, 2021, in a 1-0 win at Boston (M. Blackwood, 40 saves). The last time that Boston shut out the Devils was on May 3, 2021, in a 3-0 loss.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE .
Fri. Dec. 30, at PIT, 7:00 P.M.
Sun. Jan. 1, vs CAR, 3:00 P.M.
Wed., Jan. 4, at DET, 7:00 P.M.
Thu., Jan. 5, vs STL, 7:00 P.M.
LAST TRADE
P. Zacha in exchange for E. Haula on July 13, 2022.
