COLUMBUS – The Blue Jackets host the Boston Bruins for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference second round series, leading the best-of-seven series 2-1 lead in the series.
The Blue Jackets make history with every playoff game. So far the Blue Jackets have won a playoff series for the first time and won a second-round game at home. And Thursday night’s game (7:30 p.m./NBCSN) means they will be playing in the month of May for the first time.
In addition to world-class performances by goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, the Jackets have gotten major contributions from Matt Duchene, acquired at the league’s trade deadline. Duchene has six goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
The Bruins are the second-most penalized team in the NHL, at averaging 9.7 penalty minutes per game, led by Brad Marchand’s 96 total minutes.
None of those minutes will be or Marchand’s sucker-punch to the back of Scott Harrington’s head in the waning moments of Game 3.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the oft-suspended Marchand would be able to play tonight but there would be a suspension of Marchand commits another offense.