NHL Game of the Week: Bruins vs. Canucks

It’s a battle between two first-place teams: the Vancouver Canucks of the Atlantic and the Boston Bruins of the Pacific. The two teams will hash it out in their first matchup of the season at the notorious TD Garden in Boston.

The Bruins have a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games with a 31-10-9 record overall. On Tuesday night, the Bruins lost to the Calgary Flames in a 4-1 defeat.

The Bruins are currently tied for first with the Canucks in points at 71. They rank in the top 10 for multiple stats, including goals per game (3.44), power play percentage (26%), goals against per game (2.62) and save percentage (.918).

Coming off their loss against the Flames, right-wing David Pastrnak earned his 40th assist of the season to add to his 73 points this season, third overall in the league.

Pastrnak leads the Bruins in points, goals (33) and assists (40) and has eight goals and assists over his last 10 games, while another top player in center Charlie Coyle has 18 goals and 24 assists on the season.

Left-wing Brad Marchand is putting up another season of great offensive numbers, he’s currently second on the Bruins in points (47) and goals (23).

On defense, goaltender Jeremy Swayman is tied for third in the league with a .922 save percentage and is sixth in goals against (2.36).

Vancouver has a 34-11-5 record overall and is 8-0-2 in its last 10 games with a two-game win streak after Tuesday night’s victory against the Carolina Hurricanes.

As a team, the Canucks rank in the top five for several statistical categories. They rank first in goals per game at 3.78, second in goals against per game (2.54) only behind the Winnipeg Jets and they’re fourth in save percentage (.917).

Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes featured an impactful debut from newly acquired center Elias Lindholm. Dealt from the Flames, Lindholm didn’t waste any time in his debut, as he scored two power-play goals in the first and second periods.

The Canucks have a handful of players to watch for. Center J.T. Miller, who is fourth in the league in points (68), also holds the team lead. On Tuesday night, Miller scored a goal to add to his goal total of 22.

Defenseman Quinn Hughes continues to add to his strong two-way play this season, he had two assists in Tuesday's game to add to his team-leading 52 assists.

Perhaps the hottest player right now is right wing Brock Boeser, who in his last 10 games, has five goals and five assists. Boeser currently leads the Canucks in goals with 30.

Goaltender Thatcher Demko leads the league in wins (27) ranks sixth in save percentage (.920) and seventh in goals against per game (2.43).

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Caitlyn Brooks is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email crb6283@psu.edu.