The Boston Bruins (25-4-2, 52 points, 1st Atlantic) will be in search of their third straight victory on Friday when paying a visit to New Jersey to play the New Jersey Devils (22-9-2, 46 points, T-1st Metro). Boston defeated the Florida Panthers 7-3 on Tuesday with Patrice Bergeron scoring two goals and adding two assists. New Jersey defeated the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Wednesday night snapping a six-game losing skid. Matt Filipe is the only player out for Boston, while New Jersey will play without Nathan Bastian, Jonathan Bernier and Ondrej Palat, while Ryan Graves and John Marino are questionable.
The Boston Bruins are allowing an average of just 2.16 goals per game which is first in the NHL. The Bruins are allowing an average of just 28.8 shots per game which is fifth best. Boston's penalty-kill unit is also first in the NHL, holding opponents scoreless 84.6% of the time the Bruins are short-handed. Linus Ullmark is 18-1-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average and .937 save percentage. Ullmark has two shutouts this season and the Swede has won 11 of his last 12 starts in goal, with only a 3-2 shootout loss to the LA Kings during that stretch.
Boston's attack is also very strong as the Bruins are scoring an average of 3.90 goals per game which is second-best in the NHL. Boston is averaging 35.1 shots per game which is also a second best. Boston's power play is scoring 28.9% of the time Boston h as the man advantage which is the third best in hockey. David Pastrnak has 21 goals to lead Boston, while Taylor Hall is second with 13 goals. Pasternak is the leader in assists with 22 and the points leader with 43. Hampus Lindholm has 19 assists which is second highest. Boston has scored 35 power play goals in 31 games.