John Moore set to make season debut as Bruins host Blackhawks
Oct 30, 2018; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman John Moore (27) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. (James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
For the first time since Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, John Moore will have a uniform waiting in his stall, as the 29-year-old will make his season debut after missing the first 28 games of the year due to offseason shoulder surgery.
“When you sit and watch almost 30 games, you understand and you’re reminded what a privilege it is not only to play in the NHL, but to play for such a great franchise,” Moore told the official team website. Moore, who totaled four goals and 13 points in 61 games with the B’s last year, also noted that he was “very fired up” for this contest.
The feeling is mutual throughout the room, too, with every Boston skater noting how excited they were to see Moore back in action after what’s been a difficult rehab process, and with Moore’s return making the Bruins that much closer to finally operating at 100 percent for the year.
And with Moore back, Connor Clifton will move to the press box as the team’s healthy scratch, joining No. 8 defenseman Steven Kampfer. Moore’s activation will also see his partner, Matt Grzelcyk, move from the left to the right on Boston’s third pairing.
“I think they’re both better on the left, [but] I think last year Grzelcyk played more on the right, more comfortable there,” said Cassidy. “I’ve actually discussed it with both of them because I don’t have a strong opinion either way.”
Tuukka Rask will get the start in net for the Bruins. Rask is a perfect 6-0-0 with a .943 save percentage over his last six starts, and is coming off a 28-of-29 performance against the Canadiens this past Sunday night.
The Bruins as a team, meanwhile, come into play riding an eight-game winning streak, and have captured points in all 16 of their home games to date this season by way of a 12-0-4 record.
It’s a much different story for the visiting Blackhawks, however, as they come to town with losses in six of their last seven contests, and have been outscored 26-13 over that stretch.
Here are the complete lines and pairings for the Bruins…
Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Danton Heinen
Jake DeBrusk – David Krejci – David Pastrnak
Anders Bjork – Sean Kuraly – Chris Wagner
Joakim Nordstrom – Par Lindholm – David Backes
Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug – Brandon Carlo
John Moore – Matt Grzelcyk
Tuukka Rask
