Preview: Bruins close out preseason against Capitals

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 7:00 PM

Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA

How to follow: NESN, NHLN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: Japers’ Rink

Know your enemy

• The Washington Capitals are winless so far with a 0-3-1 record in their four preseason games.
• Hendrix Lapierre, Washington’s 2020 first-round draft pick, leads the Caps in exhibition points with five assists in three preseason games. Against the Boston Bruins on September 26, the 19-year-old center registered two of those assists.

Game notes

• Well this is it! One last preseason match-up to hold us all over until opening night. As head coach Bruce Cassidy said last week, the lineup will be composed of the main group we’ll likely see on October 16.
• This preseason, the Bruins are 2-1-2 heading into the final exhibition game. The team has both allowed and scored 13 goals. The B’s have scored four power-play goals on 19 opportunities and are 92% successful on the penalty kill. They’ve outshot their opponents in three games.
• This will be the B’s second match-up against the Capitals before the regular season starts. In the first meeting, the Bruins won 3-2 in a shootout on the road. Jake DeBrusk and Erik Haula scored the two goals during regulation and both tallied shootout goals.
• Linus Ullmark is expected to get the nod in net. Ullmark has appeared in two preseason games, playing in full during the 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers on October 2 and half of the game on September 28. In one and a half games against the Rangers, he’s made 26 saves on 32 shots. Tonight’s start will be a chance for him to redeem himself after Saturday’s performance in which he had a .789 save percentage and allowed two even-strength and one shorthanded goal besides one on the penalty kill. A shot at the opening night start could be at stake for Ullmark, but that honor may go to Jeremy Swayman who hasn’t missed a beat.
• Charlie Coyle, who has been recovering from knee surgery, is projected to be in tonight’s lineup for his first and only preseason appearance. Last season, the center struggled offensively, recording six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 51 games. He donned a non-contact jersey to opening training camp, but shed that a few days later to fully join the team. He’s expected to helm the Bruins’ second line during the regular season and likely tonight.
• Although Coyle is the 2C front-runner, Jack Studnicka has shined in the position. In four preseason games, he’s registered two goals and two assists. If yesterday’s practice lines hold true, Studnicka won’t be playing in this game. It’s going to be interesting to see if Studnicka lands on the opening-night roster and where exactly it would be. Cassidy has said things could be shuffled around on the wings if they feel the 22-year-old center gives the team a better look in the middle.

See ya tonight!