B’s Fall Again

Since Nathan Horton suffered a concussion against the Flyers at the end of January, the Bruins have only gone 5-8-1 and scored 32 goals. With Horton in the line-up the Bruins are 32-13-2 and scored 164 goals. You think the Bruins got problems?? No, its ok, we got games in hand on Ottawa. Everything is going to be finee.

Well everything is not fine, the B’s couldn’t be happier to see the month of February end. The team was 4-7-1 and were shutout five times…FIVE TIMES.

The most recent one was last night at home against Ottawa. The B’s went into the game with a 4-0-0 record against the Sens this year and scored 19 goals in those four games. The B’s also, had not surrendered a PP goal in 10 chances to Ottawa.

Well it was one PP goal that put Ottawa on top. Erik Karlsson scored a PP goal with 5:16 left in the first period.

The B’s failed on four PP tries, with three of them coming in the third period.

Ottawa outshot the B’s 38-32 but the Bruins brought the pressure in the third period outshooting the Sens 17-7.

The B’s need to find a sense of urgency and fast. It doesn’t matter how many games in hand they have on Ottawa because if you start getting that mindset you will put more pressure on yourself when you know you are playing the game and hand and it is essentially a must win.

Boston is just riding their momentum from November and December and what seemed like the second seed was locked-up, well, now Ottawa is only a point behind you and Florida is only five points back.

We’ll see what happens Thursday night against the Devils.

Pre-Game Skate; B’s/Sens

Tonight will be the back end of a home and home series between the Bruins and Senators. The game should be a dandy after the way Saturday night’s game played out. No suspension for Kyle Turris after his hit on Corvo, no Boychuk after he got his bell rung from Chris Neal.

Most importantly it is a division game and the Bruins are looking to pad their three-point lead on Ottawa in the Northeast Division and add to their 4-0-0 record against the Senators this season.

The Bruins will also see the debut of Mike Mottau on D and the return of Brian Rolston to a Bruins uniform. Both guys were acquired Monday as part of the trade deadline.

Boston will keep riding their old steed (Tim Thomas) and wearing him down for the playoffs.

Projected Bruins lines
Forwards
Milan Lucic-Chris Kelly-David Krejci
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-Brian Rolston-Jordan Caron
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Defense
Zdeno Chara-Adam McQuaid
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Mike Mottau
Goalies
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
Scratches: Nathan Horton (concussion), Rich Peverley (knee), Greg Zanon, Max Sauve

Projected Senators lines
Forwards
Milan Michalek-Jason Spezza-Bobby Butler
Colin Greening-Kyle Turris-Daniel Alfredsson
Nick Foligno-Jim O’Brien-Chris Neil
Zenon Konopka-Zack Smith-Erik Condra
Defense
Filip Kuba-Erik Karlsson
Chris Phillips-Matt Gilroy
Jared Cowen-Sergei Gonchar
Goalies
Robin Lehner
Alex Auld
Scratches: Matt Carkner, Kaspars Daugavins, Craig Anderson (hand)

Trade Deadline Update

So I wasn’t looking at the calendar when I planned a golf trip to Florida for this past weekend. Shame on me for not realizing it was one of the biggest hockey weekends of the year. I could have been at home with all sorts of updates on the trade deadline. Instead I just have this review on what happened.

The Bruins were not the big winner in yesterday’s trade deadline, that would go to Nashville in my opinion.

I do like some of the moves the Bruins made.

Their first move was trading, Steven Kampfer D to Minnesota for Greg Zanon D.

The 32 year-old Zanon is in his seventh year in the league where he played for two teams, Nashville and Minnesota.

Season	GP	Goals	Assist	Points	+/-
11-12	39	2	4	6	-1
Career	432	11	43	54	3

Why the B’s let go a younger, quicker defenseman for a guy who is a bit older doesn’t really make sense to me. I understand the Bruins want depth on the blue line but when the team is healthy they have six quality defenseman and one of the six (Corvo) play can be questionable at times. So why trade a younger Kampfer to get Zenon who won’t play over any of the current six defenseman.

The other move the Bruins made was sending Yannick Riendeau and Marc Cantin to the Islanders for old friend Brian Rolston and Mass. native Mike Mottau.

Again, same as the Kampfer trade. I don’t really understand why getting Mottau on defense helps. Between him and Zanon there will be two healthy scratches on D every night. Granted having extra bodies is never a bad thing but usually at the trade deadline you want to acquire a guy who will play on a nightly basis to help your team.

Year	GP	Goals	Assist	Points	+/-
11-12	29	0	2	2	-10
Career	307	7	51	58	-12

Mottau is a Quincy, MA native and said about playing with the Bruins “I’ve always said I would take a puck in the teeth to get a chance to play for the Bruins.”

On the other hand I do like the Rolston move. He was a solid player during his time with the Bruins. He is a quick skater and has a rocket of a shot. He doesn’t have the greatest numbers this season but he will be a big asset to the PP and could replace Horton during his absence on the first line.

Year	GP	Goals	Assist	Points	+/-
11-12	60	4	5	9	-12
00-04	338	101	135	233	44
Career	1235	339	407	746	58

As you can see from 2000 thru 2004 when Rolston was a member of the Bruins he had some productive seasons he tied his second highest single-season goal total with 31 in 2001-02. He also had his third highest single-season point total that year with 62.

B’s Hang on to Beat Sens

After a rough loss to Buffalo the night before the Bruins finished off their road trip in Ottawa against a team who they have handled well all season. The B’s went up 4-1 on the Sens but two quick goals late in the third made the game interesting but the B’s held on for a 5-3 victory.

Erik Karlsson got the scoring going right away when he netted the puck just 1:10 into the game. Patrice Bergeron (18) tied the game just 2:36 after Karlsson put the Sens on the board.

Before the periods end Marchand (22) put the B’s on top giving them a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

Carter Camper (1) netted his first career NHL goal in the early parts of the second period giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead.

Then the third period started. First it was the biggest hit of the season when Chris Neal dropped the hammer on Johnny Boychuk.

Not long after Boychuk scrapped himself off the ice, Kyle Turris took a cheap shot at Joe Corvo, leaving his feet to make contact with Corvo’s head. A hit that would eventually be deemed legal by Brendan Shanahan and his crack-squad investigation crew.

Back to the hockey, David Krejci (13) scored a PP goal putting the Bruins up 4-1 and pretty much sealing the game, right?! WRONG.

Chara made a good/bad decision all at the same time. He stood up for his teammate and fought Chris Neal but he got into a fight with him with only 7 minutes left in the game. This became a win for the Senators because the best defensive player for the Bruins is now in the box for the next five minutes.

After the fight it turned into the Tim Thomas show and for the wrong reason. What is his deal with flailing his arms?

The B’s gave up two goals in a span of 1:43. Not good for any team with a 4-1 lead late in the third period. But after both goals Thomas is flailing his arms in disgrace and looking at his teammates, giving off the vibe that its not his fault he is letting up these goals. The guy is out of control and its really starting to get aggravating.

Bergeron (19) netted an empty netter to seal the deal but a game that was all but locked-up turned into a close call.

The B’s return home to take on Ottawa Tuesday night.

B’s Fall in Shootout to Sabres

With a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time in over a month, the B’s hit the ice in Buffalo where they got their doors blown off just a few weeks before. The B’s kept it close and took a point but the outcome was still the same, a loss.

After a scoreless first period the B’s trailed after an Andrej Sekerea goal towards the end of the period. The B’s had two PP opportunities during the period but failed to cash-in on them.

Captain Zdeno (9) took charge to help the B’s tie the game on a PP goal 3:36 into the third period. The B’s had another power-play in the final minute of the period, which carried over into overtime but they could not score.

The game went to a shootout, where the Bruins lost 2-1 in fourth round of the shootout.
-Pominville shot, saved
-Krejci shot, scored (1-0)

-Vanek shot, scored (1-1)
-Seguin shot, missed

-Gerbe shot, saved
-Bergeron shot, saved

-Roy shot, scored (2-1)
-Pouliot shot, saved

Pre-Game Skate; B’s/Sabres

NESN.com –The Bruins finally snapped out of their recent funk with an impressive 4-2 win in St. Louis on Wednesday. Now they’ll try to win back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 10 and 12 when they return to Buffalo on Friday.

To do that, the Bruins (36-20-2, 74 points) will need to play much better than they did in their last visit to Buffalo. Boston suffered a season-worst 6-0 loss against the Sabres on Feb. 8, as Buffalo exacted a little revenge for the division rivals’ earlier clashes this season.

The last time the Bruins played in Buffalo and they got SPANKED 6-0. Both Thomas and Tuukka gave up three goals, Rask was pulled in the second period after giving up his third goal.

Chances are Rask will get the start tonight considering it has been a week since his last start, Thomas started on Wednesday and the B’s turn around and play again tomorrow night in Ottawa.

Marchand’s Two Goals Lead B’s Past Blues

St. Louis has not lost a game in regulation at home since December 3, they have gone 18-0-1 in that time and in their last 12 home games the Blues have not given up more than two goals.

For the first seven minutes of the opening period the Bruins looked like the team that won a Stanley Cup last season. Playing a fast-paced, hard hitting period. It was a solo effort by Brad Marchand (20) to get himself open with the puck in the top of the slot and beat Brian Elliot.

Nine seconds after the Marchand goal…

A few minutes after the bout, it was Milan Lucic (21) tipping a shot from Joe Corvo over the shoulder of Elliot giving the Bruins a 2-0 lead. But something to note on the Lucic goal, it was the right winger, David Krejci, layin’ the wood behind the Blues net which helped to open up the play.

Then….fifty-four seconds after the Lucic goal the Blues score two goals of their own in 4:58 to erase their two goal defecit and tie the game 2-2.

In the closing seconds of the period, Lucic found Kelly (15) in front of the Blues net, in a goal similar to the one Ryder scored in game four against Montreal last year, to give the B’s a 3-2 lead going into the break.

The two teams skates to a scoreless second period. St. Louis carried the offensive play, outshooting the Bruins 14-4 but the Bruins carried the physical play, as the checking picked up.

With the start of the third period, Andy Brickley said during the broadcast “the Bruins need to play their best period of the road trip.” The B’s only outshot the Blues 9-8 during the period but the big play was Tyler Seguin springing Brad Marchand (21) on a breakaway where he beat Elliot five-hole to seal the game for the Bruins. The goal ties a career high in goals, for the little ball of hate, which he set last season.

The B’s continue the roadie when they try to avenge a 6-0 loss to the Sabres, two weeks ago, when they head to Buffalo Friday night.

Pre-Game Skate; B’s/Blues

The Bruins take back-to-back losses into St. Louis to face a red hot Blues team. The Blues (36-16-7 79pts) are 7-3-0 in February and are 3-0-1 against the Northeast Division this season.

The B’s are making some changes to the line-up for this evenings game. The B’s may be without Thornton who is under the weather. Another interesting move is David Krejci will be playing the wing on the first line. The Bruins have also called up Carter Camper (14 G, 24 A) to center the third line.

Coach Julien will also go back to Thomas in net tonight. Seems like the smart move (note sarcasm), neither goalie has been playing well recently but it seems recently the B’s have been riding Thomas and at the beginning of the season it was a big deal for Thomas not to play too much this season. He is going on his fifth game in 11 days.

Projected Bruins lines
Forwards
Milan Lucic-Chris Kelly-David Krejci
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Tyler Seguin
Jordan Caron-Carter Camper-Benoit Pouliot
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Defense
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Goalies
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
Scratches: Nathan Horton (concussion), Rich Peverley (knee), Andrew Bodnarchuk, Josh Hennessy

Projected Blues lines
Forwards
Vladimir Sobotka-David Backes-T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald-Patrik Berglund-David Perron
Chris Porter-Jason Arnott-Chris Stewart
B.J. Crombeen-Scott Nichol-Ryan Reaves
Defense
Kris Russell-Roman Polak
Carlo Colaiacovo-Akex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman-Kevin Shattenkirk
Goalies
Brian Elliott
Jaroslav Halak
Scratches: Jamie Langenbrunner (foot), Kent Huskins, T.J. Hensick

Happy “Miracle on Ice” Day

On this day thirty-two years ago, a bunch of rag-tag college boys from the United States of America took on the greatest hockey team in the world. The US and Soviet’s battled in the semi-final game in Lake Placid, NY with a trip to the gold medal game on the line.

The US defeated the Soviets 4-3 and as a result on of the greatest call’s was born…Al Micheals, take it away.

And the Award for the Toughest Player in the NHL Goes To….

Bruins.com — The NHLPA poll was released Sunday, and 20 percent of the players voted that forward Milan Lucic is the toughest player in the league.

“It’s good to hear that,” Lucic said before Sunday’s game. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the people around the league as being a tough player. For myself, you take a lot of pride in that just because of the way I play and have to keep that up.”

In 56 games this season, Lucic’s 20 goals are tied with Tyler Seguin for the team lead, and his 109 penalty minutes are second only to Shawn Thornton (122).

Milan Lucic always seems to find himself in the center of attention. Last year in the playoffs he was criticized for his slow skating, comments were made that it looked like he had cement in his skates. Other times he is centered around a controversial hit. Or it is his offensive skills and how many or how nice of a goal he had.

One thing is for sure, no matter what the topic of discussion is with Looch, he still shows up to play on a nightly basis. He is part of the Bruins top line but he is the physical presence on the top line for the Bruins and if someone tries to push around Krejci, Lucic is right there to have his back, along with anyone else on his team.

When it comes to toughness, from the first time I saw Lucic play in a Bruins uniform I always enjoyed the way he played the game. Still to this day I have a hard time trying to figure out if he is more Cam Neely or Terry O’Reilley. But one of the fights which put him on the map, had to be when he dismantled Mike Komisarek then taunted the Habs bench.