Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Brad Marchand #63 celebrates a goal with David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It took just six games, but the Bruins are already back to their record-challenging ways.

Through six games, the Bruins sit at a perfect 6-0-0 on the new season. And the sixth victory, which came Tuesday night in Chicago, tied the franchise record for the longest season-opening win streak, putting this year’s Bruins in the same class as the 1937-38 Bruins.

Now comes a chance at setting that record, and with a quick turnaround of a rematch with the same Ducks team the Bruins handled by a 3-1 final this past Sunday in Anaheim.

  • If the Bruins are able to pull off a victory over the Ducks at TD Garden, it will not only be the longest season-opening win streak in team history, but become the ninth-longest season-opening win streak in league history. The NHL record, by the way, is 10 straight victories to open a season, which has been accomplished two times in league history, and was last done by the 2006-07 Buffalo Sabres.

    Here are four players to watch for when the action gets underway tonight at TD Garden…

  • David Pastrnak

    Oct 19, 2023; San Jose, California, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) after scoring a goal during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

    Oct 19, 2023; San Jose, California, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (48) after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)

  • Listen, not to sound any massive panic alarms or anything, but it’s now been two whole games without a goal or point for Bruins superstar David Pastrnak. They’re readying the milk cartons, your phone is about to receive a ‘missing superstar’ push notification, and they’re canceling the pasta bar at the Garden media meal.

    No, but really, this has been a bit of a quiet two-game run for Pastrnak. And for some additional context here when it comes to the rarity of that: Pastrnak did not go without a point in back-to-back games at any point last season, and his two-game donut run is his longest since a three-game line of zeros back in Mar. 2022.

    And, typically, when he’s too quiet, that’s when he’s about to put himself back on the board.

    Pastrnak comes into tonight’s game with five goals and seven points in his last five meetings with the Ducks.

  • Johnny Beecher

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 05: John Beecher #19 of the Boston Bruins skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 05, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: John Beecher #19 of the Boston Bruins skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on October 05, 2023 in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

  • With both Jakub Lauko and Milan Lucic on the shelf, fourth-line center Johnny Beecher is going to have to make it work with two linemates Thursday night at TD Garden.

    Based on the morning skate lines at Warrior, Beecher will have Patrick Brown to his right (and they’ve played together for a little bit now), but the left side will feature somebody entirely new.

    That’ll likely be Jesper Boqvist if we’re to read into the fact that he was skating on his own prior to the Bruins taking to the ice for the morning skate and the fact that Jim Montgomery had ‘no update’ on Danton Heinen, who remains with the club on a pro tryout agreement.

    Beecher, who has one assist, along with seven hits and two blocked shots, is really going to have to drive his line tonight.

  • Hampus Lindholm

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 19: Hampus Lindholm #27 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers defeat the Bruins 6-3. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 19: Hampus Lindholm #27 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • With no disrespect to his time with the Ducks. defenseman Hampus Lindholm really enjoys being a Bruin. He’ll tell you that whenever you ask him about his move from Anaheim to Boston. And through three head-to-heads with the Ducks since joining the Bruins, it feels like Lindholm enjoys going against his former team.

    On the board with a goal and an assist, along with a plus-4 rating, against the Ducks, Lindholm will have a chance to dominate his matchup tonight with the Bruins having the benefit of last change.

    (I honestly think the Lindholm-Carlo pairing has been absolute nails this season, but especially so on home ice, with Montgomery leaning on that duo as a shutdown pair.)

  • Frank Vatrano

    Oct 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) celebrates the game winning goal during the overtime period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

    Oct 24, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) celebrates the game winning goal during the overtime period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. (Joseph Maiorana/USA TODAY Sports)

  • Speaking of sticking it to your old team, ex-Bruins winger and Massachusetts native Frank Vatrano is back in town, and he’s on fire. With five goals and six points through six games, Vatrano comes to Boston on the heels of scoring an overtime winner over the Blue Jackets. He also comes back to Boston with four goals and seven points in 16 career meetings with the Bruins since the club traded him in 2018.

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