The Bruins return to TD Garden ice tonight (Thursday), following an impressive win over the Nashville Predators, to take on the Winnipeg Jets, then are back on the road to face the New York Islanders (Saturday at 7 p.m.), and back-to-back games beginning with the Philadelphia Flyers (Monday at 7 p.m.), and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday at 7 p.m., before returning home to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (Thursday, 1/16 at 7 p.m.).
Boston Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy has been named the head coach for the Atlantic Division team at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. Todd Reirden (Washington Capitals, Metropolitan Division), Craig Berube (St. Louis Blues, Central Division) and Gerard Gallant (Vegas Golden Knights, Pacific Division) were also selected as All-Star head coaches, alongside Cassidy. Under the All-Star selection process, the head coach of the team with the highest points percentage (points earned divided by total possible points) in each of the four divisions through games of Thursday, January 2 – the halfway point of the regular season – will guide the respective All-Star rosters.
Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak has been named the Atlantic Division captain for the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. In 44 games Pastrnak, 23, leads the NHL in goals (32) and power play goals (15) this season. The 6-foot, 194-pound right wing has also added 30 assists for 62 points, with a plus-13 rating in 44 games. He ranks among the league’s leaders in several offensive categories, game-winning goals, power play points, shots, and points per game.
Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask has been named to the 2020 NHL All-Star team. This is the second selection for Rask and David Pastrnak, who were named Atlantic Division captain. Rask previously competed in the 2017 All-Star Game in Los Angeles, while Pastrnak participated last season in the 2019 All-Star Game in San Jose.
Rask ranks seventh in the NHL with a 2.31 goals against average and is tied for ninth in save percentage (.923) and wins (15). The 6-foot-3, 176-pound goaltender’s two shutouts this season were on October 12, a 31-save effort against the New Jersey Devils, and on October 26, in a 3-0 win against St. Louis. On October 22, Rask recorded a 4-2 win in his 500th NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team that drafted him 21st overall in 2005.
The captains for each division are chosen by fan vote. Pastrnak (Bruins) in the Atlantic Division will be joined by, Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado) in the Central Division; Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) for the Pacific Division; and Alex Ovechkin for the Metropolitan Division. Ovechkin recently announce that he has chosen to not participate in this year’s All-Star festivities.
The format for this year’s competition remains the same. The first night of the All-Star break is comprised of a skills competition and the second day will consist of a three-on-three tournament between the divisions. In the first round, the two Eastern Conference teams will face off as well as the two Western Conference teams. The winners of those matchups will meet for the final round. Rosters, which may see changes due to injuries, etc.
The All-Star Game will be held in St. Louis on Saturday, January 25.