Coyotes-Bruins Preview
The Boston Bruins are undefeated on the road, but they're on the verge of the worst home start to a season in franchise history.
The Bruins attempt to carry their road success back to TD Garden on Tuesday night when they try for an eighth straight win over the Arizona Coyotes.
Boston (3-3-1) has lost all four of its home games, matching the team record set in 1965-66. The Bruins went nine games without a win in 1951-52, but five of those were ties.
They're hoping their mentality on the road can translate to Boston.
"On the road, for some reason, we've played really well - a full 60 minutes - without trying to be too cute; just trying outwork the other team, and it's been working," forward David Krejci told the team's official website. "So at home, we've got to take the same approach - just outwork the other team and try to play a full 60 minutes."
That worked Friday in New York as the Bruins scored four goals in a row to rally for a 5-3 win over the Islanders.
"When you look at our record, we're 3-0-1 in our last four games," coach Claude Julien said. "So we lost the first three home games that we played, and they were the first games of the season, so you'd like to think that you're trending in the right direction."
The site hasn't mattered to Krejci, who is tied for the league lead with three others at 12 points. He's managed at least one point in each of the first seven games for his longest point streak to start a season.
Krejci has nine points in nine career meetings with the Coyotes (5-3-1), scoring a goal and assisting on two others in a 5-3 win at Arizona on Oct. 17.
Patrice Bergeron had two goals and one assist in that matchup, as Boston extended its winning streak over the Coyotes to seven games.
Bergeron, who has six points over the last three games, has four goals and three assists in his last four meetings with Arizona.
The Coyotes are trying to beat the Bruins for the first time since a victory at Boston on Oct. 9, 2010.
They're 4-1-1 on the road, scoring three unanswered goals in the third period of Saturday's 4-1 win at Ottawa before edging Toronto 4-3 on Monday.
"This was a big game for everyone and we had some big goals from the whole lineup," center Max Domi said Monday.
Domi scored against the Maple Leafs, and he's the rookie leader with 10 points, getting at least one in seven of nine games. He failed to register a point against Boston earlier this month, getting one in each of the four subsequent contests.
"He plays a real dynamic game and he's tenacious," coach Dave Tippett told the team's official website. "The thing we have been telling him to try to do is shoot the puck more. He's got a great shot, forehand and backhand. It's a really good story right now for an unbelievable kid. There is a lot of pressure and spotlight on him, and he's handled it well."
Martin Hanzal's assist on Domi's latest tally gives him a league-leading 10. However, Hanzal, who has yet to score, has no points in eight career matchups against the Bruins.
Mikkel Boedker had two assists Monday after scoring his second career hat trick against the Senators.