In what is said to be a tough and busy week for the Bruins, they got off to the right start on Monday night. Boston defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins by a score of 3-1. Going into the game, Pittsburgh and Boston were number one and number two in the Eastern Conference respectively. With the win, the B's move within one point of the Pens for the top spot in the East.
Jordan Caron and Steven Kampfer both returned to the Bruins for Monday's game. They were sent down to Providence over the weekend in order to get some more playing time. Both were healthy scratches in this game anyway.
The first period was chippy, especially between the first-line centers (David Krejci and Sidney Crosby). The period was controlled more so by Pittsburgh as they seemed to get more shots on Tim Thomas.
In the second period, the Bruins turned their game around. Gregory Campbell and Benoit Pouliot each scored for Boston. They also had several other chances to put more pressure on Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The story of the second period, however, was all about the B's penalty kill.
Boston had to defend and kill off two different five-on-three power plays by Pittsburgh. During that time, Thomas made seven huge stops. Andrew Ference and Dennis Seidenberg came up big by clearing the puck in potentially costly situations.
Tyler Seguin scored his 13th goal of the season on a power play in the third period. Seguin's 13 goals and 25 points leads the Bruins. Our old friend Matt Cooke added a goal for the Pens. More physical play occurred in the final 20 minutes. Daniel Paille put a good hit on Evgeni Malkin which started a little scrum. Joe Vitale charged into Thomas and that triggered Campbell to drop the gloves with him. This game had everything a hockey fan wants to see on any given night.
The B's have now won 14 out of their last 15 games. They will be back in action Tuesday night in Winnipeg against the Jets.
Gold Star: Tim Thomas (44 saves on 45 shots, 1 goal allowed, .978 save percentage)...The only goal that he allowed was not his fault as it resulted from a turnover. Clutch. Nothing more to say.
Black Star: Chris Kelly...He really surprised me by his play in this game. It looked like Rich Peverley had more control of the third line in this game rather than Kelly.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Game Twenty Four: A Good Start To December
Saturday night was game two of the home-and-home series between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The three previous meetings between these two teams featured quite lop-sided victories by the B's. This game really seemed like a first place game between two top teams.
The game also was significant because Leafs third-line center Joe Colborne made his return to the TD Garden for the first time since being traded to Toronto. He was part of the deal that brought defenseman Tomas Kaberle to Boston during the late stretch of last season. Looks like that deal really worked out for us....not so much actually.
The goaltenders is this game were both different from Wednesday's game as Tuukka Rask took on James Reimer.The first period seemed really slow. There were some quality scoring chances between the two teams but neither was able to capitalize.
The second period really opened up much more. Both teams really were able to spread the puck out through the seems that the defenders gave them. The Bruins got on the board first when Nathan Horton passed the puck over to David Krejci, who was wide open in front of the net, and he shot the puck past Reimer.
It was 48 seconds later when Mikhail Grabovski tied the game up at one. The goal was assisted by Jake Gardiner and Joey Crabb. Boston grabbed the lead back before the end of the second period. Chris Kelly received a great pass from Rich Peverley and he shot a one-timer past Reimer into the goal.
In the third period, Rask contained the Maple Leafs for the most part by making some key saves. The Bruins offense did their part by completely controlling possession of the puck. The final 20 minutes became a little more chippy since the game was decided early on in the period. Johnny Boychuk and Horton added a goal each to make that possible. The B's defeated the Leafs by a score of 4-1.
Nine Bruins players had points in this game, including two points each from all three first-line players (Lucic, Krejci, Horton). The Maple Leafs have taken the next step in the right direction as far as becoming an elite team, but they do not seem to have an answer for the Bruins. The B's next game will be Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Gold Star: Johnny Boychuk (1 goal, plus-3 rating, 3 shots on goal)...He really stepped up in this game by contributing on both ends of the ice.
Black Star: Zdeno Chara...He was the victim of some pretty questionable calls. Unfortunately, you cannot have everything go your way on a nightly basis.
The game also was significant because Leafs third-line center Joe Colborne made his return to the TD Garden for the first time since being traded to Toronto. He was part of the deal that brought defenseman Tomas Kaberle to Boston during the late stretch of last season. Looks like that deal really worked out for us....not so much actually.
The goaltenders is this game were both different from Wednesday's game as Tuukka Rask took on James Reimer.The first period seemed really slow. There were some quality scoring chances between the two teams but neither was able to capitalize.
The second period really opened up much more. Both teams really were able to spread the puck out through the seems that the defenders gave them. The Bruins got on the board first when Nathan Horton passed the puck over to David Krejci, who was wide open in front of the net, and he shot the puck past Reimer.
It was 48 seconds later when Mikhail Grabovski tied the game up at one. The goal was assisted by Jake Gardiner and Joey Crabb. Boston grabbed the lead back before the end of the second period. Chris Kelly received a great pass from Rich Peverley and he shot a one-timer past Reimer into the goal.
In the third period, Rask contained the Maple Leafs for the most part by making some key saves. The Bruins offense did their part by completely controlling possession of the puck. The final 20 minutes became a little more chippy since the game was decided early on in the period. Johnny Boychuk and Horton added a goal each to make that possible. The B's defeated the Leafs by a score of 4-1.
Nine Bruins players had points in this game, including two points each from all three first-line players (Lucic, Krejci, Horton). The Maple Leafs have taken the next step in the right direction as far as becoming an elite team, but they do not seem to have an answer for the Bruins. The B's next game will be Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Gold Star: Johnny Boychuk (1 goal, plus-3 rating, 3 shots on goal)...He really stepped up in this game by contributing on both ends of the ice.
Black Star: Zdeno Chara...He was the victim of some pretty questionable calls. Unfortunately, you cannot have everything go your way on a nightly basis.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Krejci Signs Extension
Bruins center David Krejci signed a three-year contract extension on Wednesday, hours before his three point game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The deal is said to give Krejci around $5.25 million annually through the 2014-2015 season.
The move all but locks up the first-line center position for the B's. This move also signifies that Tyler Seguin will have to spend a little more time playing wing than expected. Many felt that a Krejci trade was inevitable due to his slow start. That would have giving Seguin the chance to play his natural position.
This was the final year on Krejci's existing contract, which meant that he would have been a restricted free agent at the end of this season. Now Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has only begun his work. He still has some key players to sign before next year's offseason, Milan Lucic being one of them.
The move all but locks up the first-line center position for the B's. This move also signifies that Tyler Seguin will have to spend a little more time playing wing than expected. Many felt that a Krejci trade was inevitable due to his slow start. That would have giving Seguin the chance to play his natural position.
This was the final year on Krejci's existing contract, which meant that he would have been a restricted free agent at the end of this season. Now Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has only begun his work. He still has some key players to sign before next year's offseason, Milan Lucic being one of them.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Game Twenty Three: The End Of Movember (Yes, Movember. Not November)
The Boston Bruins faced the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night for the third time this season. This was game one of a two game home-and-home series between the two division rivals. Toronto and Boston were only separated by one point coming into the game (Toronto with 30 points, Boston with 29 points), so first place in the Northeast Division was on the line in this one.
The key to this game was going to be the play of the first lines for both teams. The Leafs top line of Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak, and Phil Kessel are a dangerous line to compete against. Kessel leads his team in goals (16) and points (31) and Lupul leads his team in assists (18) coming into this game. On the other hand, the B's top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci, and Nathan Horton combined for 11 points in two games against the Leafs this season. Something had to give.
The Leafs grabbed the early lead when Mikhail Grabovski scored at 7:29 of the first period. Clarke MacArthur sent a long bouncing pass over to Grabovski and slid the puck past Tim Thomas. After that goal, Boston put heavy pressure on Toronto and dominated the rest of the period. At 15:08, Milan Lucic tied the game up at one on assists from Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara. Both first period goals were power play goals.
Both teams alternated scoring chances in the second period. There was a ten minute stretch where Thomas and Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson made some great stops on rushes by their opponent. However, within that stretch the Bruins were able to grab the lead for the first time in the game. Krejci scored his fourth goal of the season by going hard to the net and putting in a deflected shot by Horton.
The Leafs tied the game up four minutes later when Kessel led a 2-on-1 with Lupul up ice after beating Chara to the puck. Kessel passed the puck over to Lupul and shot it past Thomas into the goal. The assist by Kessel was his first point against Boston this season. Chara scored his fifth goal of the season to put the B's back on top later on in the period.
The fast-paced play continued into the third period. In the final 20 minutes, Boston added three more goals as they continue to dominate late in games. They now have a plus-30 goal differential in the second and third periods this season. Benoit Pouliot scored his third goal of the season when he was fed the puck by Joe Corvo behind the net. The goal came just as their power play expired.
Matt Frattin gave Toronto a bit of hope when he beat Thomas from a really tough angle. All he needed was an inch of space and he found it. Lucic scored his second goal of the game on Krejci's second assist of the game. Brad Marchand added an empty net goal to seal the victory. Boston defeated Toronto by a score of 6-3.
The Bruins finish the month of November with a 12-0-1 record. The last time they finished a calendar month without a regulation loss was January 1969. The B's now possess a 15-7-1 record and 31 points, surpassing the Maple Leafs for the division lead.
Boston will be back in action for game two of the home-and-home series against Toronto on Saturday night at the TD Garden.
Gold Star: David Krejci (1 goal, 2 assists, plus-2 rating, 3 shots on goal)...He sure looked like a first-line center in this game. Has his soft hands finally returned?
Black Star: Adam McQuaid...He finished the night with a minus-2 rating and he could not even get a shot on goal. You should at least be able to get a shot on goal as a defenseman.
The key to this game was going to be the play of the first lines for both teams. The Leafs top line of Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak, and Phil Kessel are a dangerous line to compete against. Kessel leads his team in goals (16) and points (31) and Lupul leads his team in assists (18) coming into this game. On the other hand, the B's top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci, and Nathan Horton combined for 11 points in two games against the Leafs this season. Something had to give.
The Leafs grabbed the early lead when Mikhail Grabovski scored at 7:29 of the first period. Clarke MacArthur sent a long bouncing pass over to Grabovski and slid the puck past Tim Thomas. After that goal, Boston put heavy pressure on Toronto and dominated the rest of the period. At 15:08, Milan Lucic tied the game up at one on assists from Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara. Both first period goals were power play goals.
Both teams alternated scoring chances in the second period. There was a ten minute stretch where Thomas and Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson made some great stops on rushes by their opponent. However, within that stretch the Bruins were able to grab the lead for the first time in the game. Krejci scored his fourth goal of the season by going hard to the net and putting in a deflected shot by Horton.
The Leafs tied the game up four minutes later when Kessel led a 2-on-1 with Lupul up ice after beating Chara to the puck. Kessel passed the puck over to Lupul and shot it past Thomas into the goal. The assist by Kessel was his first point against Boston this season. Chara scored his fifth goal of the season to put the B's back on top later on in the period.
The fast-paced play continued into the third period. In the final 20 minutes, Boston added three more goals as they continue to dominate late in games. They now have a plus-30 goal differential in the second and third periods this season. Benoit Pouliot scored his third goal of the season when he was fed the puck by Joe Corvo behind the net. The goal came just as their power play expired.
Matt Frattin gave Toronto a bit of hope when he beat Thomas from a really tough angle. All he needed was an inch of space and he found it. Lucic scored his second goal of the game on Krejci's second assist of the game. Brad Marchand added an empty net goal to seal the victory. Boston defeated Toronto by a score of 6-3.
The Bruins finish the month of November with a 12-0-1 record. The last time they finished a calendar month without a regulation loss was January 1969. The B's now possess a 15-7-1 record and 31 points, surpassing the Maple Leafs for the division lead.
Boston will be back in action for game two of the home-and-home series against Toronto on Saturday night at the TD Garden.
Gold Star: David Krejci (1 goal, 2 assists, plus-2 rating, 3 shots on goal)...He sure looked like a first-line center in this game. Has his soft hands finally returned?
Black Star: Adam McQuaid...He finished the night with a minus-2 rating and he could not even get a shot on goal. You should at least be able to get a shot on goal as a defenseman.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Ryan Miller Does Not Have A Concussion...Big Surprise (Sarcastic Tone)
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller reported to the media on Monday that he does not feel any concussion symptoms. An MRI confirmed that it was a neck injury, which makes much more sense.
When Bruins forward Milan Lucic collided into him on November 12, it triggered an uproar in the Sabres locker room for the lack of retaliation against Lucic. Miller has been out of action since leaving that game. No one really judged him when he said he had a concussion due to the severity of head injuries in the NHL.
However, something did not sit right with a lot of fans in Boston with the diagnosis of Miller's alleged concussion. His neck snapped awkwardly when his helmet was knocked off of his head. A confirmed aggravated disc sounds more accurate.
What Miller was trying to prove by saying that he had a concussion is a mystery, considering that his head did not even come close to Lucic's shoulder or the ice. A goaltender that had so much respect around the league for representing the United States in the Olympics just lost most of it.
The sad part about it is that it could have been avoided.
When Bruins forward Milan Lucic collided into him on November 12, it triggered an uproar in the Sabres locker room for the lack of retaliation against Lucic. Miller has been out of action since leaving that game. No one really judged him when he said he had a concussion due to the severity of head injuries in the NHL.
However, something did not sit right with a lot of fans in Boston with the diagnosis of Miller's alleged concussion. His neck snapped awkwardly when his helmet was knocked off of his head. A confirmed aggravated disc sounds more accurate.
What Miller was trying to prove by saying that he had a concussion is a mystery, considering that his head did not even come close to Lucic's shoulder or the ice. A goaltender that had so much respect around the league for representing the United States in the Olympics just lost most of it.
The sad part about it is that it could have been avoided.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Game Twenty Two: Peverley Shows Winnipeg What They Let Go
The Bruins welcomed in the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night just one day after losing in a shootout to the Detroit Red Wings. The B's sent the Jets flying out of Boston by defeating them 4-2.
Former Bruins Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart, who currently play for Winnipeg, each made their return to the TD Garden in the game. They must have had mixed emotions coming back to an arena where they used to play for a team that won the Stanley Cup last season. What can you do though? This is a business and trades are part of this business.
Boston received Rich Peverley in that respective trade last season before the trade deadline when the Jets were the Atlanta Thrashers. Peverley really stood out in this game as he probably had something to prove to his old team.
Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien had early goals for the Jets as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Boston went on to score four unanswered goals. Zdeno Chara scored on the power play with assists from David Krejci and Dennis Seidenberg. Chris Kelly scored two goals in this game, bringing his goal total up to nine.
Kelly's first goal was a short-handed goal. He is a very versatile player that can turn defense into instant offense. Brad Marchand added an empty netter to seal the victory. Tim Thomas stopped 40 shots on 42 attempts, the highest number he has faced so far this season.
Many Bruins did not seem to cooperate with the ice in this game. Bruins defenseman Joe Corvo really could not find the right footing which forced him to take a holding penalty because he had to stop a break away. Thomas also seemed a little bit off-balanced as well.
The Bruins still have yet to lose in regulation in the month of November having received points in all 12 games. They currently possess a 14-7-1 record and 29 points. The B's will play their final game of the month on Wednesday when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs in game one of a home-and-home series.
Gold Star: Rich Peverley (2 assists)...Kelly may have scored the goals but if it was not for Peverley's fast penetration into the Bruins offensive zone, the goals would not have happened. The defense pulled back to cover Peverley and that opened up the space for Kelly to score. He rightfully deserved those hard earned two assists.
Black Star: Milan Lucic...If you are not going to be an offensive presence you at least have to be a physical presence. He had no real good scoring chances and he only had one hit. He has to be better than that.
Former Bruins Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart, who currently play for Winnipeg, each made their return to the TD Garden in the game. They must have had mixed emotions coming back to an arena where they used to play for a team that won the Stanley Cup last season. What can you do though? This is a business and trades are part of this business.
Boston received Rich Peverley in that respective trade last season before the trade deadline when the Jets were the Atlanta Thrashers. Peverley really stood out in this game as he probably had something to prove to his old team.
Evander Kane and Dustin Byfuglien had early goals for the Jets as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Boston went on to score four unanswered goals. Zdeno Chara scored on the power play with assists from David Krejci and Dennis Seidenberg. Chris Kelly scored two goals in this game, bringing his goal total up to nine.
Kelly's first goal was a short-handed goal. He is a very versatile player that can turn defense into instant offense. Brad Marchand added an empty netter to seal the victory. Tim Thomas stopped 40 shots on 42 attempts, the highest number he has faced so far this season.
Many Bruins did not seem to cooperate with the ice in this game. Bruins defenseman Joe Corvo really could not find the right footing which forced him to take a holding penalty because he had to stop a break away. Thomas also seemed a little bit off-balanced as well.
The Bruins still have yet to lose in regulation in the month of November having received points in all 12 games. They currently possess a 14-7-1 record and 29 points. The B's will play their final game of the month on Wednesday when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs in game one of a home-and-home series.
Gold Star: Rich Peverley (2 assists)...Kelly may have scored the goals but if it was not for Peverley's fast penetration into the Bruins offensive zone, the goals would not have happened. The defense pulled back to cover Peverley and that opened up the space for Kelly to score. He rightfully deserved those hard earned two assists.
Black Star: Milan Lucic...If you are not going to be an offensive presence you at least have to be a physical presence. He had no real good scoring chances and he only had one hit. He has to be better than that.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Game Twenty One: It Ends Here
It is rare when we see an "Original Six" game between the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings. It is even more rare when we see a game where the puck drops at 1:00pm. On Black Friday we have the pleasure of seeing both of these occurrences take place.
For those of you anticipating a game similar to what happened between the B's and the Buffalo Sabres, you were in the wrong arena for this one. The Red Wings play a very quick type of game that sometimes lacks physicality. Their style of play is not at all what we are used to seeing from teams around the NHL. However, they have a strong veteran presence that has shaped this team into one of the best squads in the league.
The Bruins played an aggressive opening period. The fore-checking pressure made it difficult for the Red Wings to enter the Bruins zone. They also had the better scoring chances which has been a recurring thing for Boston in the opening period of games. The B's fell behind when Valtteri Filppula received a good pass Henrik Zetterberg and slid the puck under Tuukka Rask. Boston finished the first period 0 for 2 on the power play.
The Bruins tied the game up early in the second period. Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard turned the puck over behind his own net to Nathan Horton. He fed the puck in front to Daniel Paille where he put it in the net. Detroit grabbed the lead back when Pavel Datsyuk scored his sixth goal of the season with a great move that beat Rask. Horton had some great chances to score but could not get the puck to bounce the right way for him.
After some great rushes by both teams to begin the third period, Patrice Bergeron tied the game up at two after he forced a turnover and blasted the puck past Howard. Prior to that play, the line of Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Tyler Seguin had not been as explosive as we have seen in previous games. The rest of the period consisted of Boston trying to contain Detroit and that forced Rask to make some good saves.
The score was level at two at the end of regulation. The Bruins had a great opportunity to win the game in overtime with only seconds left. Gregory Campbell won a face-off back to Zdeno Chara but he shot the puck slightly wide. The game was decided in a shootout.
Detroit beat Rask twice in the shootout. Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi had the goals for Detroit. Horton had the lone goal for the B's. The Red Wings defeated the Bruins by a score of 3-2, ending the win streak of the Bruins. The B's will be back in action Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Gold Star: Shawn Thornton...He had a great game in ways that most people will not think of. He knows his role on the team and being physical put his team in the best spot to win. Having some good scoring chances helps too.
Black Star: Johnny Boychuk...He was on the ice for both Detroit goals in regulation. You have to play a harder game when you play next to Zdeno Chara.
For those of you anticipating a game similar to what happened between the B's and the Buffalo Sabres, you were in the wrong arena for this one. The Red Wings play a very quick type of game that sometimes lacks physicality. Their style of play is not at all what we are used to seeing from teams around the NHL. However, they have a strong veteran presence that has shaped this team into one of the best squads in the league.
The Bruins played an aggressive opening period. The fore-checking pressure made it difficult for the Red Wings to enter the Bruins zone. They also had the better scoring chances which has been a recurring thing for Boston in the opening period of games. The B's fell behind when Valtteri Filppula received a good pass Henrik Zetterberg and slid the puck under Tuukka Rask. Boston finished the first period 0 for 2 on the power play.
The Bruins tied the game up early in the second period. Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard turned the puck over behind his own net to Nathan Horton. He fed the puck in front to Daniel Paille where he put it in the net. Detroit grabbed the lead back when Pavel Datsyuk scored his sixth goal of the season with a great move that beat Rask. Horton had some great chances to score but could not get the puck to bounce the right way for him.
After some great rushes by both teams to begin the third period, Patrice Bergeron tied the game up at two after he forced a turnover and blasted the puck past Howard. Prior to that play, the line of Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and Tyler Seguin had not been as explosive as we have seen in previous games. The rest of the period consisted of Boston trying to contain Detroit and that forced Rask to make some good saves.
The score was level at two at the end of regulation. The Bruins had a great opportunity to win the game in overtime with only seconds left. Gregory Campbell won a face-off back to Zdeno Chara but he shot the puck slightly wide. The game was decided in a shootout.
Detroit beat Rask twice in the shootout. Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi had the goals for Detroit. Horton had the lone goal for the B's. The Red Wings defeated the Bruins by a score of 3-2, ending the win streak of the Bruins. The B's will be back in action Saturday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Gold Star: Shawn Thornton...He had a great game in ways that most people will not think of. He knows his role on the team and being physical put his team in the best spot to win. Having some good scoring chances helps too.
Black Star: Johnny Boychuk...He was on the ice for both Detroit goals in regulation. You have to play a harder game when you play next to Zdeno Chara.
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