2010-11 BRUINS OPENER;BRUINS NOTEBOOK;Expect battles;Julien wary of Coyotes
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - The Bruins expect a stiff challenge from the gritty Coyotes today in their season opener.
''Both teams are probably going to kind of feel their way through the first game,'' said Bruins coach Claude Julien. ''What we know about Phoenix - just like they know about us - is that they've got a pretty good team. They've got good depth, good skill, they're a high-tempo team. I expect this weekend to be two tough games for our team, but not games that we can't win.
''Coaches are like players: Training camp has been long enough. We've done a lot of different things,'' Julien said. ''Now it's time to get to the real task - and that's making it to the playoffs.''
Family matters
On hand at practice were Zdeno Chara's parents, Zdenek and Veronika. The dad, if you wondered, looks to be about 6-foot-1, the mom maybe 5-10. . . .
While NESN will carry the games live, announcers Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley are not here. They'll call the games off a monitor in a studio back home. Seems the NHL was charging such an exorbitant fee to broadcast the games in person, NESN elected to do it this way - a shame for viewers, and for Edwards and Brickley, who missed out on a very fun trip. . . .
The Bruins are designated the home team today, the Coyotes will be tomorrow. . . . Regular Bruins TD Garden game announcer Jim Martin is here and will handle those chores at rinkside.
Scratches coming
The Bruins will scratch one forward and one defenseman for each game. An educated guess for today: Jordan Caron and Adam McQuaid could sit. . . .
Winger Brian McGrattan is not signed and will not play this weekend. He'll likely sign a two-way contract when the team gets home Monday. . . .
Phoenix defenseman Derek Morris did not skate yesterday because of a groin strain. But he said he hopes to play.
