DRW-BOS Preview

BOSTON - Near the beginning of November, the Detroit Red Wings dropped a 5-1 decision in Boston they would prefer to forget. In the last game of the calendar month, the club has a chance to avenge that performance.
On Nov. 4 at TD Garden, the Bruins scored three consecutive power-play goals, all from 18-year veteran Patrice Bergeron, who ended the game with four points. Detroit never led, and was whistled for six total penalties.

"I think two of those three were probably mistakes of guys that hadn't done it much and they missed their assignment, basically," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "I think they've done it more now and I think they are more prepared. Doesn't mean that Boston doesn't present challenges."

Jeff Blashill | 11/29 Practice

Tuesday's puck drop against the Red Wings' Atlantic Division rival is set for 7 p.m. on Bally Sports Detroit and the Red Wings Radio Network.
The Bruins are 11-7-0 (22 points) on the season under coach Bruce Cassidy. On Tuesday morning, the Bruins announced Cassidy was placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
Boston currently ranks fifth in power-play percentage (25.5%) and on their home ice, the Bruins have the sixth-best record in the NHL at 7-3-0. Detroit (10-9-3; 23 points) leads Boston by one point for fourth-place in the Atlantic.
While Tuesday's game has implications in the standings, Detroit is much more focused on the long game, and developing the consistency to play well on a nightly basis, particularly away from home.
"Every night in this league is a litmus test in where you stand," Blashill said. "We're going to a play a real good team in their building, and we want to find a way to win. If we do find a way to win, it says you beat a good team on the road. But we'll have another game the next night and we'll have to find a way to do that."
Brad Marchand leads Boston and is tied for seventh in the NHL with 24 points (9-15-24). Against Detroit, the Bruins will be without the 33-year-old forward after the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced Monday that Marchand was suspended for three games, without pay, for slew-footing Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson during NHL Game No. 326 in Boston on Sunday, Nov. 28.
For the Bruins, Bergeron (8 goals, 10 assists) and winger David Pastrnak (7 goals, 11 assists) have each tallied 18 points.
Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have essentially split time in net, with Swayman recording a 2.42 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. Ullmark made 38 saves in Sunday's 3-2 win over Vancouver.
The Red Wings and Bruins will complete their four-game divisional series in 2022, with both games taking place at Little Caesars Arena.

Kyle Criscuolo recalled from Griffins

On Monday, the Red Wings announced they recalled center Kyle Criscuolo from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound forward has produced 12 points in 12 games this season, which leads the Griffins' offensive output.
The 29-year-old Criscuolo has played parts of four seasons with Grand Rapids over two separate stints. He rejoined the organization in 2020-21 after beginning his professional career in the 2015-16 campaign.

Hronek absent from Monday practice

Defenseman Filip Hronek was absent from Monday's practice with a non-COVID illness. Blashill said he anticipates the 24-year-old will be available against Boston.