Anaheim @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 30, 2018 ) Anaheim 3, Boston 1

One night after using a three-goal period as a springboard in a comeback victory at Pittsburgh, the Anaheim Ducks were victimized in the same manner to deny their bid of a franchise record-tying seventh consecutive road victory. Anaheim looks to rebound from a 3-1 loss at Madison Square Garden when it resumes a six-game road trip at the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

The Ducks also had a four-game overall winning streak halted in Tuesday's loss to the New York Rangers, giving up three goals in the final 20 minutes for only their second defeat in 11 games (9-2-0). Anaheim has dominated the series against the Bruins over the previous few years, winning nine meetings in a row and the past four visits to Boston. After allowing nine goals in back-to-back defeats, the Bruins rebounded with one of their better efforts in weeks with a 4-0 shutout in Montreal. "Standings are getting closer and closer, points are really at a premium," Boston defenseman Torey Krug said. "It's big for the standings. It definitely builds some character and hopefully we can build on it."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Pacific, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (19-12-5): Red-hot Ondrej Kase collected an assist on his team's lone goal at New York to give him 11 points (six goals, five assists) over the past eight eight games for surging Anaheim. Starting netminder John Gibson, who got the night off against the Rangers after beating Pittsburgh the previous night, has surrendered six goals during a four-start winning streak and also had limited Boston to two goals in winning both career matchups. Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf also picked up an assist Monday to give him 17 points over the last 15 games while bolstering his team-high total to 29.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (18-12-4): Boston received a boost to its collective psyche on Wednesday as center Patrice Bergeron and defenseman Zdeno Chara went through their first full practice since they were both injured over a month ago. While Chara has yet to be cleared for contact, Bergeron has no restrictions from the chest injury that has sidelined him for 15 games and his return to the lineup appears imminent. “Bergie skated in a full contact and is feeling better," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "I don’t have a definitive timeline, but he’s progressing well and could potentially play this weekend.”

OVERTIME

1. Bruins C David Krejci has four goals and six assists during a seven-game point streak.

2. Getzlaf has four goals and 15 points in 16 games versus Boston.

3. Bruins F David Pastrnak has 11 points in his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Bruins 2