Utah vs. Boston Bruins Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 21st 2024

Preview and Prediction

Trapped in a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) for the second time this season, the Boston Bruins embark on a new era as Joe Sacco makes his debut as interim head coach Thursday in the final game of a three-game homestand against Utah Hockey Club.

Something had to change amidst Boston's current sluggish start. The Bruins were outplayed in a 5-1 defeat on Monday against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets who had only won one of their previous eight games and fell back below .500 with a record of 8-9-3.

While the Bruins have only managed to score more than two goals in one of their last five games, Sacco's main focus is on improving their defense. They have allowed a total of 12 goals in their past two regulation losses.

"I think a lot of it right now is a mindset with the group," Sacco said. "One thing we're going to emphasize is being a tougher team to play against, I mean more stingy. ... If you look at the 10 years I've been here, we've always taken pride in ... protecting the net front."

Sacco took on his new role on Tuesday after the firing of Jim Montgomery, who had a record of 120-41-23 in two-plus regular seasons and 9-11 in the Stanley Cup playoffs as Boston's head coach.

Sacco has previously served as an assistant coach to Boston's three previous head coaches, Claude Julien, Bruce Cassidy, and Montgomery, all of whom have won the Jack Adams Award during their time with the Bruins. Sacco also has four seasons of experience as a head coach with the Colorado Avalanche (2009-13).

Captain Brad Marchand, who has only scored in two of his last eight games, understands that the players must take responsibility for the decision made by general manager Don Sweeney and the Bruins.

"This is a reflection of our performance and it could have been avoided," he said. "If we had done our job, (Montgomery) would still be here. We feel really terrible ... that we let down a great coach and a great person."

Many Bruins players have not lived up to their potential, including key offseason acquisitions Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, as well as goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who held out until signing a contract extension just before the season began.

"We need to get back to the basics, the foundation of who we are hardworking and competitive," defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. "There's too much talent and skill in this locker room for us not to come together."

Utah comes to Boston after losing back-to-back games and five of their last seven (2-4-1), including a 6-2 defeat on Monday against the Washington Capitals where their power play was 0-for-7.

The Hockey Club has only managed a record of 3-7-2 since October 19, when they defeated the Bruins 2-1 in overtime thanks to defenseman Michael Kesselring's first career game-winning goal.

"It's easy to sit here and say that we hit crossbars, but that's not an excuse," forward Lawson Crouse said. "We need to find a way to put the puck in the back of the net."

Coach Andre Tourigny made some changes to the lines during Wednesday's practice, including moving winger Dylan Guenther to the top line with Clayton Keller and Nick Bjugstad, and dropping Nick Schmaltz down to the third line and second power-play unit.

Schmaltz has yet to score a goal this season, and only two of his 13 assists have come in the last seven games.

"I think it's to take some pressure off him," Tourigny said.

With four road games in six nights coming up, Utah has recalled goaltender Jaxson Stauber from AHL Tucson after Connor Ingram suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's loss.

"I don't know when (he will get a start)," Tourigny said. "We're taking it one day at a time, but his time will come."

PREDICTION

Utah

2

4

Boston Bruins