Game Four: Road Opener

"With the second pick the Boston Bruins select, from the Plymouth Whalers, Tyler Seguin."

Those words were uttered by Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He selected the 18-year old Seguin as the second overall pick after receiving that pick from the Phil Kessel trade to Toronto. By the way, thank you Kessel.

Why do I mention this before I discuss tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes? Tonight was Seguin's first opportunity to center the first line. Regular first-line center David Krejci missed the game after suffering a core injury in practice yesterday. It was the kid's chance to shine in this game and to skate on Claude Julien's top line. Hey, that is why Boston drafted him number two overall am I right?

This was a tough one for the Bruins tonight as they came away with a loss, falling to the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2. They now possess a 1-3-0 record. Two Conn Smythe Trophy winners, Tim Thomas and Cam Ward, really stood out in this game for their respective teams. Thomas stopped 31 shots on 34 attempts with a .912 save percentage. Equally as impressive, Ward stopped 26 shots on 28 attempts for a .929 save percentage.

Seguin tallied a goal for the Bruins tonight in his professional debut as a center. After the game, the hockey media were saying how Seguin looked more comfortable as a center. No kidding. That is his natural position. If anything, he looked somewhat uncomfortable all of last season playing right wing. Either way, he also racked up four shots on goal and continues to lead the team in assists (three).

Overall, it was a frustrating night for the B's. They had great opportunities the whole night but were unable to capitalize. Joni Pitkanen, Anthony Stewart, and Jiri Tlusty had the goals for the Hurricanes tonight. Brad Marchand also scored for Boston, his second of the season.

The Bruins did have a very physical edge, which they clearly lacked in the first three games. Perhaps this mini road trip will create a spark for this team. They will travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks on Saturday night.

A couple of side notes: Bruins defenseman Joe Corvo and Hurricanes defenseman Tomas Kaberle each faced their former teams for the first time since switching teams during the offseason (Corvo via trade, Kaberle via free agency). Also Rich Peverley signed a three-year extension yesterday worth up to $3.25 million per year. What ever the B's plans are for the future, they want Peverley to be apart of it.

Gold Star: Tyler Seguin (1 goal, 4 shots on goal, +1 rating)

Black Star: Shawn Thornton...Anyone who knows me knows that I am not the biggest fan of fighting in the NHL. But something needs to get this team going. I know Thornton is trying every game to fight with someone. He needs to find a dance partner quickly to give this team some spark.