On Saturday there'll be eight matches played in the NHL. The most interesting one is without a doubt the rematch of the Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues at the TD Garden. It will be the first time these teams will meet eachother since last June's Stanley Cup Final.
Bruins' top line continues to impress
The formula to win against the Boston Bruins is one that's well known. Keep their top line off the scoreboard as much as possible and you're giving yourself a pretty good chance. It's something that few teams have managed to do during early season. David Pastrnak has 17 points ( (10 goals, seven assists), Brad Marchand 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and Patrice Bergeron eight points (two goals, six assists).
The Bruins are scoring an average of 2.88 goals per game and a goals against average of 2.22. Tuukka Rask looks to be in fine form already with a save percentage of 94.4% and he was impressive during his last game with 37 saves on 39 shots. It's safe to say the Bruins started their season quite well. With a 6-2-1 record they're standing second in the Atlantic Division.
Tarasenko will be missed
The St. Louis Blues surprised many hockey fans last season by winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their franchise history. Like Boston, the Blues can also look back on a strong start to the season, splitting their first 10 games, but losing three times in overtime. Most of te team has remained intact so coach Craig Berube won't make too much changes to the playing style, which earned them the Stanley Cup.
The Blues have been very fortunate so far with injuries, but their forward depth will be tested during their upcoming matches. Vladimir Tarasenko is their topscorer with 10 points (three goals, seven assists), but the right winger is sidelined currently with an upper-body injury that he suffered last Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. Berube already told the media that Oskar Sundqvist will step into Tarasenko's spot on the top line of the Blues.
Bruins will get their revenge
The Boston Bruins probably won't take the match against the St. Louis Blues as one game out of 82, altough they say so. It's highly likely and not quite strange that they're feeling like they have a score or two to settle with the team who beat them in the Stanley Cup Finals. Their top line is clicking on all cilinders and goalie Rask and his defensemen are doing a great job, 'cause Boston are the first ranked team for goals against average. The missing of Tarasenko will be a huge blow for the Blues, who need to rely on other players now to make the difference.
