BRUINS vs ISLANDERS…PUCK DROPS AT 5:00

The Bruins are in New York this afternoon to take on Islanders. The puck will drop earlier than usual at 5:00. This will be the third game of the 2021 season. The Bruins have yet to play a home game at the TD Garden. Both games played this season have been in New Jersey against the Devils. The B’s won the first game in a shootout and the Devils paid them back with a win over the Bruins in overtime on Saturday.

Leading up to today’s national recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Bruins announced last week they will retire number 22 worn by Willie O’Ree, the first black professional hockey player that made his debut with the Bruins in 1958. O’Ree does not have the recognition of breaking down barriers compared to Jackie Robinson who shattered the color barrier in baseball in 1947. O’Ree said that he did meet Jackie Robinson. The Bruins winger was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in 2018. In his honor NHL players are wearing a sticker with the picture of Willie and the words “Celebrating Equality” on their helmets through February. The ceremony retiring number 22 will be on February 22^nd at the TD Garden. O’Ree is 85 years young.

The Bruins will play their first home game later this week on Thursday against the Flyers at 7:00. They’ll wrap up the week with another game against the Flyers Saturday night.

You can hear all the Bruins action starting with the 30-minute pre-game show here on AM 1230 WNAW or if you are traveling to the Pittsfield area on AM 1420 WBEC.