Back to the East

Tonight's puck drop starts Eastern Conference play for the Bruins, who started the season against two Northwest Division opponents.

According to Andrew Ference, who spent four seasons out West with Calgary, the play should open up as the Bruins return to Eastern Conference action.

"One of the biggest differences between the Western Conference and ours, I think, is the discipline of the third man high," said Ference. "And the backchecking is better there. There are way more odd-man rushes out East and more of an open game. There, everything is very clogged up. The third man is very high. It's very rare to see a lot of out-numbered rushes per game."

Ference said that while Western defensemen pinch, the presence of the third forward high prevents odd-numbered rushes from taking place.