{"id":57888,"date":"2019-10-02T15:41:55","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T19:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=57888"},"modified":"2019-10-02T15:41:55","modified_gmt":"2019-10-02T19:41:55","slug":"key-boston-bruins-october-2019-matchups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/10\/02\/key-boston-bruins-october-2019-matchups\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Boston Bruins October 2019 Matchups"},"content":{"rendered":"

To begin their season, four Boston Bruins<\/a> October 2019 matchups stand out as important games to watch. These games may not be the most viewed ones, but they are significant to the Bruins regular season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boston Bruins October 2019 Matchups to Watch<\/h2>\n

Dallas Stars<\/span><\/h3>\n

The first notable game is the first one on the schedule. The Dallas Stars<\/a> pose no threat to the Bruins in the conference standings, but the B\u2019s have to start the season with a win. It would be an immediate shake-off of the bitter end to the previous season. It isn\u2019t the same caliber game of course, but it\u2019s a chance to move forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Jersey Devils<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another Bruins October matchup to watch is the home opener against the New Jersey Devils<\/a>. First off, the Bruins will return to TD Garden after four games. Depending on how the B\u2019s do against four Western Conference teams, it could be a chance to kickstart or continue success. In addition to it being their home opener, their opponent makes this game a worthwhile watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Devils have struggled for the past few seasons, missing the playoffs last year, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> in the first round before that, then missing the playoffs for five consecutive years prior. Things seem to be turning around for this team though. They drafted Jack Hughes<\/strong> first overall this year, so it will be one of the first games we\u2019ll get to see the top pick in regular season action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from the draft, the Devils added P.K. Subban<\/a><\/strong> to their blue line. The Canadian defenceman will play for an Eastern Conference team for the first time since his days in Montreal<\/a>. He will play more games against the B\u2019s compared to the past few years and given his history as a Bruins opponent, the B\u2019s will have to find a solution for him. The Devils also added winger Wayne Simmonds<\/a><\/strong> for one year. Simmonds was someone the Bruins were rumored to add<\/a> to their roster for a playoff push, but went to the Nashville Predators<\/a> before joining New Jersey.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bruins also played New Jersey twice this pre-season, where they lost once in overtime, then won in a 2-0 shutout. These two teams are familiar at this point and it suggests that they may play a good game even if it\u2019s early in the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The third (and fourth) game to watch will be when the Bruins play the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>. They play in Toronto, then get a couple days off before playing them again in Boston. Do these two teams playing back-to-back games sound familiar? It should. It\u2019s been the tune of late April for the past two years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Leafs, in contrast to the B\u2019s, have made big roster moves, surely keeping their rival from Boston in mind. They added Cody Ceci<\/a> <\/strong>and Tyson Barrie<\/a><\/strong> to try to strengthen their defensive corps – an area they struggled with against Boston in the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

And of course it\u2019s far too early to say this is a preview of the first round of the playoffs, but it\u2019s an ever-likely matchup and can show us if the Bruins still have the upper hand against this team. Plus, stealing a maximum of four points from their division rival would be great in the first month. And yes, I\u2019m giving the Leafs the edge on the Habs for division rival.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Mentions to Round Out the Bruins October 2019 Matchups<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Bruins get their Stanley Cup rematch against the St. Louis Blues<\/a> on Oct. 26. You can call it the B\u2019s shot at revenge, but the reality is that it fixes nothing. The Bruins don\u2019t get anything if they win besides two points against a non-conference opponent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three days after the game against the Blues, the Bruins welcome the San Jose Sharks<\/a> to TD Garden. The two games they played last year had a combined 16 goals scored – the Bruins won both games. This year\u2019s game in Boston may be a little more significant than just watching a high-scoring game. It could be the last time Joe Thornton<\/a><\/strong> takes the ice in the city that drafted him first overall in 1997. He\u2019s spent more years as a Shark than as a Bruin, but Boston is where his career began.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Image Credit:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n