Boston @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 14, 2018 ) Boston 3, Pittsburgh 5

Dramatic comebacks are becoming the norm for the Boston Bruins, who will take the second-longest point streak in franchise history into Sunday night's clash at the Pittsburgh Penguins. Boston completed a 6-0-0 homestand with a 3-2 victory over Ottawa on Saturday night to give them points in 19 consecutive games (15-0-4).

The Bruins will play seven of their next eight on the road but are riding high after erasing two-goal deficits twice in the past week before getting a last-minute game-winner for the second time in as many contests Saturday. "It's huge. We're a resilient group. We don't get too high, don't get too low," forward Danton Heinen told reporters. "Were a confident group right now. ... Hopefully we can keep this going on the road." While Boston kept humming, the Penguins had a three-game winning streak halted in a 4-1 loss at Columbus on Saturday night, which also ended a string of eight straight wins over the Blue Jackets and dropped then into the top wild-card spot. "We've got to put it behind us and get ready for the next one," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "That's the mindset we have to have. We're in playoff mode already."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE BRUINS (42-17-9): Second-line center David Krejci, playing on a makeshift line with Joakim Nordstrom and Lee Stempniak, extended his goal-scoring streak to three games with the deciding tally Saturday to give him 16 points in the past 12 games. Brad Marchand has four goals and six assists during his six-game point streak and has four of each in his last seven meetings versus the Penguins. Backup Jaroslav Halak, who has won five straight starts and is 5-0-2 since the All-Star break, will get the call for Sunday's game.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (36-23-9): Forward Phil Kessel set a milestone by appearing in his 314th consecutive game with Pittsburgh on Saturday to move into second place behind Craig Adams (319). Kessel, who snapped a 16-game goal drought Thursday, is riding a four-game point streak and has netted five goals to go with four assists in his last seven games against Boston, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2006. Captain Sidney Crosby had six-game goal and point streaks halted Saturday but has 52 points in 38 games against the Bruins.

OVERTIME

1. Boston's 15-0-4 run trails only the 23-game franchise-best point streak set in 1940-41.

2. Penguins backup G Casey DeSmith made 48 saves in a 5-3 victory over Boston on Dec. 14.

3. The home team has won the past nine matchups, including a split of two meetings this season.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Bruins 3