Fansided

5 NHL games and players you NEED to watch this Saturday

By Thomas Brandwood

14 October 2016: Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) gets in a fight during an NHL Hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Jose Quiroz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
14 October 2016: Calgary Flames Left Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Darnell Nurse (25) gets in a fight during an NHL Hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Jose Quiroz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 15: Goaltender James Reimer makes a big save on Bruin’s Brian Gionta, en-route to a 46 save shutout.
SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 15: Goaltender James Reimer makes a big save on Bruin’s Brian Gionta, en-route to a 46 save shutout. /

Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins

Channel: NESN

Live Stream: Fubo.tv

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Two teams at opposite ends of the food chain, the Florida Panthers are fighting for their playoff lives, while the Boston Bruins are racking up wins and fighting with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The two teams clash in Boston Saturday night.

An odd situation within the NHL schedule, the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins met only once through the first 75-odd games this season, but play three times over the final nine days of the NHL’s regular season. Look for Saturday night’s contest to set the tempo for a mini rivalry, as the two teams will become familiar with one another as the NHL season winds down.

Through the month of March, the Bruins have a 9-2-3 record. As of Thursday night, the Bruins’ solid play has put them within one point of the Atlantic Division lead. They also recently clinched a playoff spot for the second straight year.

The Florida Panthers have a similar record compared to the Bruins through March, backed by a 10-4-1 performance. Their recent play has put them in a position to compete for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

In the single previous meeting between the two teams, Panthers backup goalie James Reimer played arguably his best game of the season, with a 46-save shutout. Both teams have played well of late, and considering both teams could use the two points for different reasons, the Panthers and Bruins should provide hockey fans with a barn burner of a game Saturday night.

Player to watch: Brad Marchand

TAMPA, FL – MARCH 17: Brad Marchand
TAMPA, FL – MARCH 17: Brad Marchand /

With 82 points in just 61 games on the year, Brad Marchand has emerged as a legit superstar in the NHL. Through March, Marchand has 24 points in just 13 games, for an average of 1.85 points per game. He will look to end March as he started it Saturday night.

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