BOSTON– The Boston Bruins close out a three-game homestand Saturday with a matinee matchup against the Colorado Avalanche.
The 3 p.m. puck drop marks the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Bruins lost 4-1 to the Avalanche on October 18 at Ball Arena. Johnny Beecher scored Boston’s only goal in the loss, which was its first of the year. Beecher will return to the lineup for the first time since Sunday and will skate on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic.
“We added him to the lineup when we played Colorado. He did a good job. Just the speed, I think PK is always a big factor in having him in the lineup,” said head coach Marco Sturm. “We don’t want to take a lot of penalties, but if we do, I think it’s always good to have an extra body.”
The Bruins are focused on playing good defensive play against the Avalanche, who have averaged 3.5 goals per game so far this season.
“We have to make a stop. We can’t have too much space, especially in our zone,” Sturm said. “You almost have to frustrate them. It’s hard to do, but there are ways to do it. That’s what we’re going to try [against Colorado].”
David Pastrnak, who leads the B’s with 12 points (five goals, seven assists), is determined to help his group end a six-game losing streak. The forward said Boston needs to focus on its process for the full 60 minutes.
“Obviously, very high-end, fast skills. Another test for our D zone. We’re going to have to make it difficult and not make it easy for them,” Pastrnak said. “That’s when teams like Colorado are going to take advantage of you, and you’re going to be chasing the whole game. So play a really good defensive structure game and see where that takes us.”
