Watch Boston Bruins vs Pittsburgh Penguins Live Online

Watch Boston Bruins vs Pittsburgh Penguins Live Online

The Bruins aren't scoring much more than the Penguins lately, but while the Pens can pinpoint injuries to big guns like Evgeni Malkin for their offensive fall-off, the B's have struggled with the problem all year, even though their defense and goaltending have been top-notch. They've given up a total of six goals in regulation over the past six games and have only two wins to show for it.

The B's are beginning a stretch where they will play five of their next six games on the road, punctuated only by a home tilt against the Islanders on Monday in which Red Sox star David "Big Papi" Ortiz will drop the first puck. Unlike those heavy-hitting Sox, though, this team lives on shut-down defense. Eight games have passed since the B's have allowed more than two goals in a game. They had a similar streak of five games last year, in which they went undefeated. This time, it's only a 3-3-2 mark.

After starting the season red-hot, the Penguins have had a lot of that early steam taken out of them. Six key players are down with injuries, but one of the most important players in the league may see action against the Bruins. Malkin, sidelined by a strained right (non-shooting) shoulder, has been cleared for contact and may be ready to go.