Final Week of Preseason

The NHL preseason is nearing its conclusion. Several teams have a pretty good idea about what their respective rosters are going to look like come opening night in October. 

If you are keeping track of your team at home, you would know that the Boston Bruins are one of those teams.

There are two spots still open on the third line. Carl Soderberg is one of the front-runners to nab a spot on that line next to Chris Kelly. As far as the right wing spot is concerned, newcomer Reilly Smith has impressed. He was one of the players who came over with Loui Eriksson from the Dallas Stars in exchange for Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley. Although Smith has not put up the numbers so far in the preseason, his solid two-way play has looked great in camp. 

Also, Chad Johnson and Niklas Svedberg are in a dead heat for the backup goaltender job. By the end of this week, we should have a better understanding as to who has emerged ahead. 

Speaking of this week, the Bruins had three more preseason games to complete, starting on Monday when they faced the Washington Capitals yet again. They finished up the week with two games against the Winnipeg Jets. 

In a fight-filled contest, Boston knocked off Washington in overtime by a final score of 3-2 at the TD Garden. Kelly scored the game-winning goal while Zdeno Chara netted a couple of power play goals for the B's. This was a "shooting spree" for the Bruins as they out-shot the Capitals 38-14 in this game. Overall, the Capitals looked ridiculous, searching for fights all game long in unnecessary fashion.

In regards to their two games with the Jets, the Bruins looked sharp. They took the first game by a score of 3-2 after Eriksson netted the game-winning goal in overtime. Ryan Spooner, who assisted on the goal, also scored in the game. Svedberg looked solid in net for Boston as well.

In Friday's game, the B's shut out the Jets with a final score of 5-0. Five different goal scorers got on the board. The Bruins finished 6-1-0 in their seven "tune-up" games, which is not a bad showing at all.

Overall, the 2013-14 NHL preseason has been intense and quite testy. Several young players around the league have been pushing the limits trying to make the teams of their respective franchises. Also, there have been numerous huge hits and a plethora of fights. Heck, even Torey Krug dropped the gloves for the Bruins.

Bring on the regular season. 

Torey Krug dropping the gloves...