The whole “revenge” deal didn’t work out well for Boston fans the last time payback was sought on New York.
But as soon as Rob Gronkowski’s outstretched arms just missed Tom Brady’s Hail Mary attempt nine days ago, Boston was more than ready to begin tossing hate at another team from the Big Apple.
The Rangers-Bruins rivalry has been dormant for quite some time, but it’s a distinct possibility that the boys in blue will become pucks enemy No. 1 this spring.
The B’s are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over Nashville on Saturday and practiced light for nearly an hour at TD Garden Monday.
Boston also recalled defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk from Providence yesterday after sending down Steven Kampfer.
The Rangers, meanwhile, come to Boston as the top team in the Eastern Conference with 77 points on the year. The last time the two squads met, New York won a 3-2 thriller at TD Garden, with Marian Gaborik netting a backhander with 3.6 seconds left in overtime.
New York has consistently been the top team in the East this season with the Bruins currently holding the No. 2 slot in the conference standings. The Rangers are riding a three-game win steak having beat Tampa Bay (4-3), Philadelphia (5-2) and Washington (3-2) in the past week.
The two teams will meet again at Madison Square Garden in a nationally televised game on Sunday, March 4.
Can’t stand ya
A look at the last three games the Bruins have played against the Rangers:
Jan. 21, 2012 Rangers beat Bruins in OT, 3-2.
April 4, 2011 Bruins fall in New York, 5-3.
March 26, 2011 Bruins are shut out at home, 1-0.
