Bruins vs. Ducks

Boston Bruins -200 vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks

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The Boston Bruins have flown high above the rest of the NHL for much of the season, but have come crashing back to the rest of the pack with their recent play. After earning a good victory in their last game, the Bruins will attempt to get back into the top spot in the NHL by winning a second game in a row with a victory over Anaheim at home on Thursday.

A 1-4-2 mark over their past seven games has allowed the Western-leading San Jose Sharks to sneak past the Bruins (41-12-8) to lead the NHL by one point, 91 to 90 points. In the race for the Presidents Cup for the NHLs best regular season team, the defending champion Red Wings are approaching both teams and are three points behind San Jose with 88.

The Bruins returned home after winning only once on a five-game road trip with a resounding 6-1 win against Florida on Tuesday improving their record at the TD Banknorth Garden to 20-4-4. Seldom heard from fourth-line rookie Byron Bitz scored twice against the Panthers and Tim Thomas, who has struggled greatly since starting the All-Star game, saved 24 of the 25 shots sent to him on Tuesday.

They hope to reclaim their throne at the top of the NHL with a six-game home stand, but it will not be easy. After facing Florida, currently one of the top eight teams in the East, and Anaheim on Thursday; Boston will face Washington and Philadelphia, both leading their divisions.

Anaheim (30-27-5) understands Bostons road weariness. The Bruins are just getting home after an extended losing streak, while Anaheim is in the middle of a six-game road trip. They have gone 2-1 on the trip thus far, with two straight wins, the most recent over Buffalo, 3-2 on Tuesday.  If the Ducks win their third straight game by beating the Bruins, they will have their first three-game winning streak in three months.

Anaheim is in danger of missing out on the postseason, which is a rarity as the Ducks have made it four of the last five years. This will be a key win for the Ducks if they can get it, but may be without Ryan Getzlaf who had a nose bleed following a collision in the waning moments against Buffalo. It is unclear whether or not he will play Thursday night.

To try to get to the postseason, Anaheim dealt Chris Kunitz and a prospect for journeyman defenseman Ryan Whitney.

Anaheim has not played in Boston since a January 16, 2006 overtime loss and defeated Boston in Anaheim 2-1 in their only meeting last season.

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