Bruins Preview: What You Need To Know About The Winnipeg Jets
BOSTON (CBS) -- The puck drops at the TD Garden for the first time in the 2015-16 regular season Thursday night, as the Boston Bruins open their season against the Winnipeg Jets. The home team won each of the teams' matchups in 2014-15, and both teams return with the same cores as last season - minus a few key pieces.
The Jets look a little different than they did last time they faced the Bruins. In February they traded winger Evander Kane and defenseman Zach Bogosian to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Tyler Myers, forwards Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, and Brendan Lemieux, and a first-round draft pick. This somewhat mirrors the Bruins, who traded Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings in the offseason.
Myers joins a deep, tough blue line in Winnipeg, where Dustin Byfuglien still leads the way. An impending free agent, Byfuglien has been a popular subject of trade rumors, sometimes involving the Bruins. Not likely, but the Bruins' depleted defensive corps could use his size, physicality, and thunderous slap shot in their lineup.
Up front, the Jets bring back captain Andrew Ladd and former Bruin Blake Wheeler, who still struggles with consistency and defensive play but has rounded himself into a solid NHL winger. If Zdeno Chara can't play for the Bruins, the defense may have problems dealing with Wheeler's 6'5" frame.
Here's what else you need to know about the Winnipeg Jets before they take on the Bruins...
What's new?
Winnipeg is infusing their roster with younger, up-and-coming talent. They jettisoned veterans Michael Frolik, Jiri Tlusty, Jim Slater, and Lee Stempniak, and awarded roster spots to rookies Nikolaj Ehlers, Nicolas Petan, and Andrew Copp. The 19-year-old Ehlers, drafted 9th overall by the Jets in 2014, makes his NHL debut Thursday night against the Bruins. The team also welcomes back 23-year-old Alex Burmistrov, who spent the past two seasons in the KHL.
What's NOT new?
Byfuglien still mans the blue line, and he's as hard to contain as ever. He logged 24+ minutes and scored a power play goal on 6 shots last time the Jets played at the Garden. The Bruins' bottom six will have a handful dealing with the speedier young forwards on the Jets, but Winnipeg's top line of Ladd, Wheeler, and Bryan Little remains top priority.
Who's in net?
Across from Tuukka Rask Thursday night will likely be 28-year-old Ondrej Pavelec, who finished 22-16-5 last season with a 2.28 goals against average, .920 save percentage, and 5 shutouts. But he will have a relatively short leash, as Michael Hutchinson was solid in a backup role and could vie for the No.1 spot.
Name To Know:
The first Name To Know of the season goes to defenseman Jacob Trouba. The 21-year-old former first-round pick has big-time upside; he projects as a shutdown defensive blueliner with the ability to contribute on offense with a great shot from the point. And you'll want to see more of the Rochester, Michigan native if you're interested in Team USA's Olympic prospects.
How can the Bruins win?
Few teams in the league can match the Bruins' physicality, but the Jets are one of them, especially on the back end. The B's will need to use their speed to get by their big, physical defensemen. While Byfuglien plays a physical game he can be caught out of position on defense, so the Bruins may look to take advantage of that. The B's bottom six will likely be tasked with smothering the younger, speedier Winnipeg forwards. Winnipeg has a much deeper defensive corps than the Bruins, but Rask is a mismatch in net.
What's your prediction for Thursday's Bruins - Jets game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.