Pregame: 3/4, New York Riveters at Boston Pride

How to Watch

Time - 6:30PM

Location - Boston, MA

Where to Watch - Free Stream Here via NWHL's YouTube Channel

Preview

The New York Riveters travel up the Mass Pike to take on the undefeated Boston Pride at Warrior Ice Arena. The Riveters enter the final two weeks of the season on a three-game winning streak, the first in their history, and a second-seed finish in the regular season already secured. Looking across the ice, this will be the first of a back-to-back homestand this weekend for the Pride. They take on the Beauts tomorrow before closing their season in Newark against these Riveters.

As I mentioned earlier this week, the Riveters would love to spoil the Pride’s perfect record heading into the playoffs. No other team has shown such a realistic chance of beating Boston on such a consistent basis as New York has done this season. A win today or next week in Newark will carry far more weight in the minds of players than it will in the standings.

Connor Murphy

However, it is no easy task.

Boston has earned their impeccable record. This team will hunt you down in all three zones. The Pride have been held to under three goals just twice this season. They have also surrendered more than three goals only twice, but both of those games have occurred in the past four contests.

These two clubs are brimming with star power throughout their lineups, but we are going to take a look at two of the premier defensemen in this week’s Players to Watch segment.

Players to Watch

New York Riveters

#6 Courtney Burke

The All-Star defender is proving her first-round draft pick pedigree. Burke has 9 points (3G, 6A) in the 11 games she has played in her rookie NWHL season. None of them have been as important or as dramatic as her overtime goal to seal the biggest comeback in the league’s history in the Riveter’s most recent game. Burke missed five games earlier this season due to injury, but her return to the lineup has added a punch, particularly on the powerplay.

Boston Pride

#10 Blake Bolden

Bolden has been on our radar going back to last season as one of the most underrated defenders in the NWHL. She can get lost in the shuffle with all the stars in Boston, but Bolden has proven to be a key piece in the roster. Her 6 points (1G, 5A) in 14 games may not jump off the scoresheet, but when combined with her defensive prowess and consistency shows just how valuable Bolden is to a team who can get goals from anywhere in their lineup.

Also, she stole the Hardest Shot title at the All-Star Skills showcase. That will garner some much-deserved attention.

Final Thoughts

New York has scored 17 goals in their last three games, the highest of any three-game span this season for the team. However, New York has also been sloppy defensively, giving up 13 goals in that same stretch. Meanwhile, Boston has given up 7 goals in their last three games, the most of any three-game span this season for them.

The last two meetings between these teams finished with low-scoring 2-1 and 3-2 (SO) results. Something has got to give.