Red Wings at Bruins: What to Know

Game Facts

Who: Red Wings at Boston

Where: TD Garden, Boston

When: 1 p.m.

Records: Red Wings 9-6-3, Boston 14-1-3

Things to Know

Say what you want about the Red Wings’ struggles this season, but they have this distinction: They’re the only team to beat the Bruins in regulation this season. That came on Nov. 4, when they beat the Bruins at LCA, 5-4. …

Both teams are coming off wins. The Wings blanked the Devils 4-0 on Wednesday, while the Bruins beat the Panthers 3-1 on Wednesday. Today’s game is the first of back-to-back matinees for Boston, which hits the road to play the Rangers on Saturday. The Wings will be home Sunday afternoon against Minnesota. …

It’s the third meeting between the teams this season. “How many times have we played them? It feels like every other week,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “To be at this point in the season and they have one regulation loss? It’s amazing. As tough as some of these games have been for us, I think it hardens us. It’s gonna be a really tough challenge for us.” The fourth and final regular-season game between the teams will be New Year’s Eve in Detroit.

Lalonde didn’t say who will be in goal today, but had praise for Alex Lyon, who has played the last two games.” I know our goaltending’s had its ups and downs,” Lalonde said. “By numbers, I haven’t looked of late but we’re towards the bottom of teams in save percentage and team goals against. But those guys, even Ville (Husso) and (James Reimer), they’ve pointed in a majority of their games. That’s why we’re kind of hanging into this battle. But they have had moments where they’ve been prone for some soft goals and I just think it kills us.” ..

Defense has been Boston’s calling card this season. The Bruins are allowing only 2.1 goals per game this season, best in the NHL. The Wings allow an average of 3.17 goals per game.