SAN JOSE –– The Boston Bruins open their four-game road trip on Tuesday with an 11 p.m. ET matchup against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.
“Nothing should change attitude-wise. Just the way we want to play – I do believe it’s not an easy trip. There are really good opponents, and you always want to start with the right note and the right game,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “For us, it’s tonight against a very fast and skilled group over there.”
The B’s are getting reinforcements on the backend. Charlie McAvoy will enter the lineup for the first time this season after sitting out the first six games due to a suspension. The 28-year-old defenseman is expected to be on the first pair with Hampus Lindholm.
“He’s got to find his game,” Sturm said. “It’s been a long time, and that’s one of the reasons why we gave him Hampus Lindholm on his side, just to calm him down and find his game. We are definitely happy to have him back.”
Connor Clifton will draw out of the lineup with McAvoy’s return. Will Borgen will shift to skate alongside on the second pair with Nikita Zadorov.
The forward group will stay the same, including the third line of Casey Mittelstadt, Elias Lindholm and James Hagens. Mittelstadt is on a two-game point streak, with goals in the last two matchups since getting his new linemates.
“I think we’re just playing fast and playing simple when we need to play simple and making plays when plays are there. I think we gel pretty well,” Mittelstadt said. “I feel like me and Hags see the game pretty similarly. Obviously, Lindy’s been around for a long time and does a heck of a job in the middle. Some good things to build on and try to keep it going.”
Hagens has four points (two goals, two assists) through six games in his rookie year. The Boston College product will face another former Eagle, Will Smith, for the first time in the NHL on Tuesday.
“I was able to get to know him and his family. They’re all awesome people. He’s a good buddy of mine. It will be cool to get to play against him today,” Hagens said. “No [bets]. Just hopefully we can go out there and get the win. But I was able to see him the other day, so that was good.”
