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Bruins’ clash with Rangers pits No. 1 vs. 2

Bruins vs. Rangers | 7 p.m.

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 14, 2012|By Michael Whitmer

Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara, top right, battled Rangers' Carl… (AP )

Roughly two-thirds through the regular season, the Rangers and Bruins have established themselves as the two best teams in the Eastern Conference, giving tonight’s meeting at TD Garden some added sizzle.

Boston has scored the most goals in the league (184), despite playing the fewest number of games. On the other hand, no team has surrendered fewer goals than New York’s 110.

Strength against strength, then, for the second time in 3 1/2 weeks; the Rangers beat the Bruins, 3-2, at the Garden Jan. 21, a game that required overtime. Don’t be surprised if this one’s just as close.

“They’re the first-place team in our conference, so it’s a big game for us,’’ said Milan Lucic, who’s tied with Tyler Seguin with a team-high 20 goals. “I’m sure it’s a big game for them as well. It’s what makes these games so fun to play in, these are the games you want to be part of.’’

A key part of the Rangers’ defensive game is blocking shots – they’re fourth in the league - which seems to be their calling card.

“They’re very tight defensively. They don’t give up a whole lot, so we’ll have to find different ways to get pucks on net,’’ Brad Marchand said. “I think you have to try to get [shots] off as quick as you can, not give the opponents time to get in your lane. Sometimes you have to aim wide, shoot for guys’ sticks, try to shoot off the boards. Whatever it may be, just try to get the pucks around them.’’

A 1-vs.-2 clash should have his team’s attention, but coach Claude Julien said he’s more concerned about his club, not the Rangers, and isn’t hung up on winning or losing, even from a game that needs no extra hype.

“I think everybody knows who they are, how good they are, and what they represent,’’ Julien said. “We’re a team that likes to put the focus on ourselves, more than who we’re playing and how good they’re playing.

“I’m not necessarily talking about a must-win, but a must-good game is what we need. We certainly have to play to win, but at the end of the game I’m going to look at how we played, and if it was good enough to get us a win.’’

Funky symmetry

For those who believe in symmetry, the Bruins suffered a February slide last season in which they lost four of five games, then peeled off a perfect six-game road trip.

A similar funk (the reigning Cup champions are 4-5 in their past nine) can be righted once again away from home. After tonight’s game, the Bruins will play six straight on the road. It starts tomorrow in Montreal.

While another 6-0 trip might be asking too much, there were residual side effects last season that the Bruins would love to feel once again.