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Live-Blog: Jagr scores, Rask stops 40 as B's shutout Devils

April 4, 2013, 7:50 PM ET [8 Comments]
Ty Anderson
Boston Bruins Blogger •Bruins Feature Columnist • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Tonight will be future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr's 36th career game in Boston -- whether it's been at the Boston Garden or the TD Garden -- but tonight's much, much different for the 41-year-old legend. Tonight's his first donning the Spoked-B on his sweater.

Making his B's debut tonight, skating on the right wing of a line featuring Brad Marchand on the opposite wing and Tyler Seguin in the middle, B's coach Claude Julien knows that Jagr's presence goes far beyond the resume that includes a thousand assists and 679 goals in 1,380 career games.

"This is a guy that can certainly help our hockey club in many different ways. He’s a guy that can certainly make plays, he’s a big guy – we talked about that – he protects the puck so well, strong on his stick, heavy stick," Julien said of Jagr's skills. "As you know, the power play is another area that he can certainly fit in. There’s so much I think he can bring and with our club, the way we play, there’s no doubt he will blend in very well."

But Jagr's debut against the Devils comes with a sour note, as this will be the Bruins' first game of the year without center and alternate captain Patrice Bergeron, who suffered what they're calling a moderate concussion back on Tuesday. It's the fourth concussion of Bergeron's career, and while it's the first since May 2011, the Bruins know that replacing a player of his caliber is simply impossible, even if No. 68 is suiting up.

Forcing top-liner David Krejci into a situation where he'll be tested in the penalty-killing department at the dot tonight, the Bruins will also put new Bruin Kaspars Daugavins out there in such scenarios as well, giving the Boston penalty-kill a much different (and potentially catastrophic) look.

On another lineup note, the B's will scratch Jordan Caron to make way for Daugavins in his debut. Daugavins will wear No. 16, while new defensemen Wade Redden is en route to Boston.

In net, the Bruins will give the nod to Tuukka Rask for his first start since Mar. 30, when he stopped 19 of 21 in a 3-1 loss to the Flyers. In his career, the 26-year-old Rask has a 2-1-2 record against New Jersey with a .956 save-percentage.

New Jersey counters with Marty Brodeur. The career-long Devil comes into Boston with four straight losses to his name (0-1-3), and on the heels of an 18-save loss against the New York Islanders back on Apr. 1.

First Period

18:30 - Jagr comes out for an attacking zone faceoff, his first shift as a Bruin, and he's getting a standing ovation from the Garden crowd. They're pumped, man, and who could blame them?

15:59 - Bryce Salvador goes down awkwardly, and he's heading down the tunnel.

12:00 - Salvador's back.

7:05 - Early observations on Jaromir Jagr? He's slowed down quite a bit, as you would expect, but my goodness is he still borderline impossible to knock off the puck. So strong out there.

3:35 - Devils going on the power-play here. David Krejci to the box.

1:27 - B's kill it off.

Thoughts after 20...

The Bruins finish the period outshot 17-6, and that was one boring period of play. And uhhhh, that's all I have to say about that.

Second Period

18:40 - Jagr! With the goal! Marchand comes streaking in, throws it to the net, and it goes off Jagr's skate and in the back of the net. 1-0, Bruins.

12:55 - The Bruins are going on the power-play here. David Clarkson's going to sit for interference.

10:40 - Bruins can't strike on the power-play, but Jaromir Jagr skates the entire power-play. He was all over the ice, but in a good way; Had stints at the point, along the half-wall, in front of the net, behind the net. The B's really haven't had a weapon at this on their advantage in some time, even if he's a 41-year-old.

8:00 - Johnny Boychuk looked to take a puck right to the face earlier and went to the room. He's not on the bench right now.

6:00 - It's JagrMania here in Boston, but hey, look at this -- Tuukka Rask has stopped all 26 shots thrown his way thus far. That's a nice showing for No. 40.

4:32 - Boychuk back in the game. The man's a beast.

Thoughts after 40...

It's still a 1-0 lead for the Black-and-Gold and the reason? Tuukka Rask. A benchwarmer for the past two games, the Finnish netminder has been up to the task, stopping all 28 shots thrown his way. But this is a huge test for the Bruins here in the final frame, as while the Devils have come back when trailing after two just twice in 12 scenarios this yea r this one's up to Boston to hold, especially given the doubt (justified or not) that's surrounded Rask and company in 2013.

Third Period

14:07 - Do the New Jersey Devils want to win this game? I really can't tell at this point. Completely passive night from the Devils. They are not engaged.

8:42 - Bruins' lead still holding, but shots 'til heavily favor the Devils, 35-22.

7:40 - Big save by Tuukka on Andy Greene. His 36th of the night. This is a huge bounce-back game from No. 40 in Black and Gold.

1:05 - Brodeur to the bench. Empty net.

:08 - B's just miss the empty netter.

0.0 - Bruins hang on to win this one, 1-0. Rask with 40 saves, and the Devils get shutout for the first time in 2013.
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