Bruins visit the NHL's newest franchise for the first time

After overtaking the Colorado Avalanche with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday, the Bruins continue their Western Conference road trip with a stop at the Delta Center to take on the Utah Hockey Club. Saturday's game will be the first time both teams will play in Utah's new home.

The Bruins are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division after suffering two losses to their newest rival, the Florida Panthers. The bottom six have developed into a unit that has made an early breakthrough.

The Bruins' fourth line, consisting of left wing John Beecher, right wing Cole Koepke and center Mark Kastelic, made headlines after both wingers scored in Wednesday's game. Beecher and Koepke lead the league with a plus-9 rating, while Kastellic has a plus-8 rating.

“I mean, it's impressive the way they played and the amount of ice time they get, and their details, their work ethic, their support of each other with the puck on offense and defense allows them to achieve tremendous success,” said Coach Jim Montgomery told the Boston Globe.

The injury bug is spreading through Utah's defense, forcing the mascot-less team to finish its two straight games with five defensemen on the ice. As a result, Utah is at risk of having its three-game winning streak to start the season replaced by a three-game losing streak.

Let's get into it.

When: Saturday, 9 p.m

Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City

TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -135. O/U: 6.0.

BRUINS

Season balance: 3-2-0. vs. distribution: 2-3. Over/Under: 4-1

Last 10 games: 4-6-0. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/Under: 6-4

HOCKEY CLUB

Season balance: 3-1-1. vs. spread: 2-2 (1 game without a line). Over/Under: 3:1 (1 game without over/under)

Last 10 games: 3-1-1. vs. distribution: 2-2 (1 game without a line). Over/Under: 3:1 (1 game without over/under)

TEAM STATISTICS

Goals scored: Boston 20, Utah Hockey Club 20

Goals allowed: Boston 18, Utah Hockey Club 19

Power play: Boston 18.2%, Utah Hockey Club 30.8%

Penalty minutes: Boston 73, Utah Hockey Club 77

Penalty shootout: Boston 80.0%, Utah Hockey Club 83.3%

Faceoffs won: Boston 53.6%, Utah Hockey Club 52.6%

Statistics of the day: Utah's 5-4 overtime loss in Anaheim resulted in Utah becoming just the fourth team in NHL history to win four of its first five games.

Notes: Hampus Lindholm had a goal and an assist to lead Boston's five scorers against Colorado, while Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves en route to his first win since taking over from Ottawa in the offseason. … Robert Bortuzzo of the Utah Hockey Club left Wednesday's game in the third period but returned to practice Friday afternoon. Sean Durzi, who suffered an upper body injury on Monday, was less fortunate. He will be out for 4-5 months and surgery is possible. John Marino (upper body) is also “months away” from returning, Utah coach Andre Tourigny said.

Alexa Podalsky can be reached at [email protected].